vFollowing the trade for Luka Dončić and an aging LeBron James, the Los Angeles (LA) Lakers have looked like one of the premier teams in the Western Conference—not only set up for their future, but in a position to contend in the Western Conference. But then, before the season began, news came out that James was going to miss time with a back injury. Then Gabe Vincent got injured with an ankle sprain, and Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić have both been missing time due to injury management and soreness. Many lesser-known players have had to step up for the purple and gold. Being a part of the “big market” that is LA basketball, enthusiasts need to lay off the criticism.
Starting the season six and two, third in the Western Conference, and still missing very important rotational pieces, the Lakers will only continue to grow and get better as time goes on. Former undrafted player-turned-star Austin Reaves scored 50 points in the Lakers’ second game of the season. Dončić, when he has played, has averaged 41 points per game, a league high. Reaves is right behind at 31 points per game, fifth in the league. But in the absence of LeBron, their offseason acquisitions have proven their worth. Deandre Ayton has been great, averaging a very respectable 16 points per game and eight rebounds a game, exactly what the Lakers have needed from a center. Jake LaRavia has also made a name for himself; the power forward has averaged a modest 12 points and five rebounds. Marcus Smart, the former Defensive Player of the Year and backup point guard, has averaged nine points and three assists off the bench. All of these players are stepping up due to injuries from the Lakers’ “official starting five.”
But the team’s returners have also taken a leap. Rui Hachimura has taken a much bigger role since LeBron has been hurt, averaging 16 points per game and four rebounds. Obviously, Reaves has been playing like an all-star, averaging 31 points and nine assists. Even bench rotational players like Jarred Vanderbilt, who has been hit with the “injury bug” the past couple of years, have been averaging a modest four points and five rebounds with good minutes and defense. Jaxon Hayes, backup center, has also averaged five points and four rebounds with good tenacity and paint protection. These minutes and the impact these players have provided have been crucial in the success of the Lakers.
In the offseason, many things were apparent about the Lakers’ roster. They needed a true big man to play center, as they had lost Anthony Davis. Even when they had him, he had been vocal about how he felt more comfortable at the power forward position, although he had been playing center. The team needed to solidify their roles within the team, and they needed more time together, molding and figuring out how to play off Dončić’s creation and playmaking ability. Now, having a full offseason together and a “true center,” the change has been visible through the first few games.
For a team with extremely high expectations and a lot of injuries early in the season, fans and critics alike need to pump the brakes. This team has a lot of poise, promise, and passion. They are missing an all-star in James, and they have been riddled with injury to start the year, and are still third in the West. With their bench players stepping up when needed and finding a way to win games without their superstars, as well as firing on all cylinders when everyone is healthy, they look like an elite team, and they are nowhere near their skill ceiling yet.
