bonita_the_frog wrote:Yep offense is never the problem, its whether Doncic/Reaves can defend in the playoffs, or whether its another 1st Round exit should the run into someone athletic... Twolves, Spurs, Thunder, Rockets etc.
I'll probably have to keep repeating myself again since clearly, there are still people out there that have done zero research.
1. Last season, Lakers had ZERO centers. ZERO. Jaxon Hayes is a 3rd string level center, and he's legit one of the dumbest players in the NBA talent to a point where JJ wouldn't even play anymore in the playoffs. We played DFS there instead...that's how useless Hayes was. He made RUDY GOBERT LOOK LIKE SHAQ!
2. Austin Reaves was injured.
3. Luka was sick and was injured most of that season.
4. Lakers had no training camp with that group with the sudden huge trade.
5. Lebron was injured.
Lakers don't have that issue right now.
1. Lakers have Ayton. If the team had Ayton in the playoffs last season, Lakers win that series in 5.
2. Reaves is an All-NBA player now.
3. Luka now has had a training camp, and he's back to being himself after a traumatic trade.
4. Lakers have a much better offense.
The only team at this current moment that can take them down in the playoffs are either the Thunder or injuries. Spurs have to worry about Wemby even being healthy enough to survive a season, let alone prove they are even a good playoff team. Wolves are worse than last year (and already got beat by the Lakers without Lebron twice and Luka once), and this year will be the first year the Rockets are in the playoffs with their core, they are the ones that have to prove they are even a threat there.
I think people here had different expectations going into this season, and can't see reality which is this Lakers team being a strong title contender due to Luka's excellence, Reaves's rise to superstar status, and Lebron now being able to truly coast on offense letting Luka and Reaves do most of the work and focus on a Draymond role (without needing to kick a player in the nuts in the process).