The story across the The Los Angeles Lakers The one factor that has them doubting currently is that they’d a horrible offseason and that they will not obtain a lot subsequent season. If the primary speculation is true, the second might or might not come true.
One argument made by the extra cynical followers and pundits towards any Lakers success is that the Western Convention will probably be a lot harder subsequent season. Of their minds, quite a lot of groups will probably be considerably higher, leaving the Lakers within the mud.
However a better look casts actual doubt on this declare.
In the course of the 2023-24 season, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder gained first place within the West with a 57-25 document. Denver Nuggets had been second with 57 wins, and the Minnesota Timberwolves had been third at 56-26.
After that, there was a substantial decline. The Los Angeles Clipperswho’ve been the darlings of the nationwide media for many of the previous 5 seasons and have typically been the heavy favorites to succeed in the NBA Finals, have gained simply 51 video games. The Dallas Maverickswho reached the ultimate, completed fifth with a document of 50-32.
Then got here the Phoenix Suns And The New Orleans Pelicanswho each had 49 wins. The Lakers, in fact, had the seventh-best document within the West at 47-35.
Here is a have a look at who needs to be higher, who needs to be worse, and who will keep about the identical. As you may see, there is no one the Lakers ought to actually concern within the Western Convention proper now.
These groups ought to enhance, however not by a lot.
There is not any doubt the Thunder are a rising energy. They may and may enhance beginning this fall after the trades Josh Giddey For Alex Carusothe previous Lakers cult hero. Caruso will give the Thunder an All-Defensive Staff participant of their backcourt, in addition to one other dependable 3-point shooter (they had been already first in 3-point accuracy final season).
Heart Chet Holmgren ought to enhance, as the longer term will Jalen Williams. Nonetheless, they are not scary. Whereas they’re very lengthy, they are not a really quick or imposing crew, and whereas they averaged 120.1 factors per recreation within the common season, that quantity dropped to 106.0 within the second spherical of the playoffs, the place they misplaced to Dallas.
Moreover, the Lakers beat them within the season collection three video games to 1. Regardless of all their defensive points and the shortcomings of then-head coach Darvin Ham, they confirmed their potential to carry on Oklahoma Metropolis come down defensively and comprise the MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Having a full season of front-row gamers PJ Washington and Daniel Gaffordin addition to new arrivals Klay Thompsonought to assist Dallas do properly. However Thompson shouldn’t be the Thompson he was earlier than he tore his ACL and Achilles, and for each classic recreation he is performed, he has one or two mediocre or downright unhealthy taking pictures video games.
The Mavs are nonetheless missing one thing defensively, they usually’re not taking part in with rhythm. Luka Doncic He’s an distinctive participant, however he consistently strikes the ball ahead and leaves one thing to be desired defensively.
Pelicans commerce for combo guard Dejounte Murraywho has been a significant goal for the Lakers in latest months. He’ll present one thing they’ve lacked – some extent guard who can deal with the ball and facilitate passes – however there are lingering harm and maturity points that may forestall them from turning into true contenders.
THE Sacramento Kings caught one other man the Lakers had their sights set on this offseason — DeMar DeRozanAfter lacking the playoffs this spring, they need to enhance with DeRozan on board, they usually’ll probably be powerful to deal with in essential moments. Nevertheless, they have been mediocre defensively over the previous two seasons, and DeRozan should not assist them in that division.
THE Memphis Grizzlies had a misplaced 2023-24 season because of Sure MorantThe crew’s suspension and quite a few accidents have made it look like they had been second within the West the earlier yr, and we’ll actually hear about them once more.
Have they got expertise? Completely. Morant is without doubt one of the finest and most fun gamers in basketball, and males like Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marcus Sensible And GG Jackson I ought to present a number of assist.
However Memphis nonetheless lacks maturity, and whereas it has performed glorious protection within the 2022-23 season, its offensive effectivity has been missing. It is going to probably be extra of a contender than a real contender.
THE Houston Rockets And San Antonio Spurs will probably enhance as a result of youth of their rosters, however does anybody critically count on both crew to make the playoffs?
These groups will virtually actually be worse
The Lakers have been utterly unable to defeat the Nuggets of late. Beginning halfway by way of the 2022-23 marketing campaign, they’ve misplaced 11 straight video games to Nikola Jokić and the crew and 12 out of 13 in complete.
However the Nuggets, who gained the NBA championship 14 months in the past, had been blown out within the second spherical of the 2024 playoffs by Minnesota. They misplaced their beginning taking pictures guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pape this offseason, and it is one thing that may make their already skinny bench even thinner.
In an try and treatment this lack of depth, they signed Russell Westbrook. Simply ask Lakers followers how issues went throughout that dismal season and a half that Westbrook performed for the Purple and Gold.
Bear in mind when the Clippers grabbed each Paul George And Kawhi Leonard inside hours of one another a couple of years in the past? Bear in mind how the nationwide media predicted that the Clippers wouldn’t solely win the world championship, but in addition change into the perfect defensive crew in trendy NBA historical past? Bear in mind how they had been additionally picked to win all of it within the 2022-23 season and, to some extent, final season?
These predictions had been about as correct as these concerning the “Y2K disaster” on the time.
With Paul George coming to the The Philadelphia 76ersThe Clippers now have an growing older and fragile Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to go to battle. Do not be shocked in the event that they’re solely ok to succeed in the play-in match subsequent season.
With Thompson’s departure, WarriorsThey are going to face an uphill climb simply to succeed in the play-in match once more. Buddy Hield It would assist him make up for his loss, however Hield is not any Thompson.
These groups aren’t going anyplace quick
A yr in the past, many individuals thought that the Phoenix Suns, armed with Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal And Devin Bookerhad an excellent probability of reaching the NBA Finals. However and not using a level guard or any of the instruments wanted to play strong crew protection, they had been swept within the first spherical of the playoffs by Minnesota.
They’ve largely the identical roster as final season, so we must always count on roughly the identical outcomes, particularly within the common season.
Minnesota has taken a giant step ahead and has a really strong and balanced roster. However just like the Suns, it has largely held up within the offseason and its roster shouldn’t be excellent.
He has an growing older playmaker Mike Conleywho will probably be 37 years previous on opening night time, and facilities Rudy Gobert The Timberwolves are usually a legal responsibility within the playoffs at instances. It is laborious to think about the Timberwolves having a lot, if any, room to enhance.
One of many largest classes for the Lakers is that there isn’t any “dominant” crew within the West. None remotely resemble the Warriors of some years in the past after they had been at their finest, not to mention the memorable Lakers groups that gained championships up to now.
Are right now’s Lakers championship worthy? After all not. However those that assume they can not do higher than attain the play-in match may need to take a better look.
Moreover, for the primary time since maybe the mid-Eighties, the steadiness of energy seems to be tilting in favor of the Japanese Convention for the time being.
This text was initially printed on Lebron Wire: Western Convention Is not As Scary As It Appears For Lakers
