Goldsberry: Lakers are dark horse contenders

[HotRocks34]

Good article with data on Luka as well as discussion of LeBron/Luka and the Lakers defense.

https://www.theringer.com/2025/02/25/nba/luka-doncic-los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james

[Texas Chuck]

I mean we've seen Luka carry teams with good but far from great supporting casts so this should surprise nobody. Lebron is still as good as 22 Brunson and 24 Kyrie as that 2nd star.

The question will be how healthy is Luka. Forget that he's overweight. He's dominated carrying the extra weight. It's can they keep that calf healthy. If you can get Luka into the dance and likely with HCA for a round, you are a team nobody wants to deal with.

[strokerace]

Unless Luka has suddenly become a great defender and the Lakers have a hidden amazing rim protector, I just don't see it. The Mavs had a roster that was playing at a higher level last year than the potential of this Lakers team. Lakers shine is what this is. And clicks.

[Jasen777]

Unless Luka has suddenly become a great defender and the Lakers have a hidden amazing rim protector, I just don't see it. The Mavs had a roster that was playing at a higher level last year than the potential of this Lakers team. Lakers shine is what this is. And clicks.

That's the thing though. Perhaps (probably?) it won't hold up but the Lakers' defense has been quite good...

[FrobeBryant]

They have a puncher's chance. But this roster does feel incomplete, so I have them going as far as the second round. If they're able to grab a rim-running, shot blocking center (Claxton?) and a 3&D wing, then this team is definitely a contender next year. .

[Saints14]

I wouldn’t bet on it, but there’s certainly a universe where 2 all-time basketball minds figure out how to play off each other at a championship level. They need Luka to be the top 3 player in the world he was last postseason but also Bron to embrace and adjust to being the best 2nd option he can be, something he’s never really been in his career

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Unless Luka has suddenly become a great defender and the Lakers have a hidden amazing rim protector, I just don't see it. The Mavs had a roster that was playing at a higher level last year than the potential of this Lakers team. Lakers shine is what this is. And clicks.

If they had all that they wouldn't be dark horse contenders lol

[AbC?]

You always have a chance when you have a top 5 and top 10 player.

[mikejames23]

They beat Denver pretty convincingly... might have a good run in them. We'll see.

[Pythagoras]

Unless Luka has suddenly become a great defender and the Lakers have a hidden amazing rim protector, I just don't see it. The Mavs had a roster that was playing at a higher level last year than the potential of this Lakers team. Lakers shine is what this is. And clicks.

Luka doesn’t need to “become a great defender”. Whatever his defensive issues, they weren’t enough to tank the Mavs defense last year, and haven’t been enough to tank the Lakers defense since he came. The Lakers have far less defensive issues than the Nuggets for example, and most would consider them a dark horse contender.

Moreover, the Lakers last 15 games have absolutely been as good as any stretch that the Mavs had last year.

[zimpy27]

I've said this before but Lakers are like the 2018 Rockets.

That team built a decent defense around Harden by playing a team of big wings that could switch in half court and be really strong on transition defense. This type of defense allows you to limit poor defense from a wing playmaker like Harden or Luka.

[Bankai]

When healthy, Anthony Davis is a good player, but he is never on the floor, at least Luka will be on the floor giving the Lakers a fighting chance most nights. Mavs really **** up and are learning the hard way. A perennial DNP does not move the needle.

[Jadoogar]

whenever you have the best player in a series, you have a chance. I don't think they can win three series in a row. The defense has been good over the last 15ish games but i don't know how it will hold up in the playoffs. I don't trust Jaxon Hayes as the primary rim protector.

[Hornet Mania]

They've got a puncher's chance for sure.

I do think they'll require a few lucky breaks to make it to the WCF or beyond though this year.

[zimpy27]

whenever you have the best player in a series, you have a chance. I don't think they can win three series in a row. The defense has been good over the last 15ish games but i don't know how it will hold up in the playoffs. I don't trust Jaxon Hayes as the primary rim protector.

They haven't been protecting rim as part of their defense.

Their defense is based on cutting down transition defense and keeping people out of the paint with their bodies. They aren't relying on the fear of a shot blocker.

[Edrees]

Unless Luka has suddenly become a great defender and the Lakers have a hidden amazing rim protector, I just don't see it. The Mavs had a roster that was playing at a higher level last year than the potential of this Lakers team. Lakers shine is what this is. And clicks.

Not really. They were fighting for playin positioning through much of the season, and absolutely nobody predicted them to make the final when the playoffs began. The "higher level' you are talking about was essentially the final month of the season and playoffs.

[TheGOATWill]

let's say the Lakers formula eventually settles on 30 minutes of off ball Lebron. That's a nightmare we haven't seen since the Warriors had KD opposite of the Curry/Green ball screen.

[ScrantonBulls]

let's say the Lakers formula eventually settles on 30 minutes of off ball Lebron. That's a nightmare we haven't seen since the Warriors had KD opposite of the Curry/Green ball screen.

Do you really want him playing off-ball nearly the entire game? I get maybe half and half or 2/3 Luka 1/3 LeBron, but that seems like a bit much. LeBron is still a freak offensively. You want the ball in his hands often still.

[NO-KG-AI]

What would be a similar analogue to a team like this, that was also slammed together mid season, won a title?

Luka has raised the ceiling now and in the future, but they aren’t a huge team, they don’t shoot very well, they aren’t great on the glass, they have no rim protection, and they aren’t littered with defenders. I’m failing to see how they establish consistent elite play without things at an elite level they can hang their hat on.

[Black Jack]

LeBron will swing to 5 in crunchtime.