After defeating the Clippers in the Los Angeles Derby to end their 11-game losing streak against the latter, the Lakers rose to fifth place in the Western Conference. At the same time, Reeves and other role players finally got rid of the slump at the beginning of the season and regained their elite status. So this new team Can the Lakers win the championship? The American media “Lake Show Life” listed 5 factors that determine fate, including whether Reeves lives up to the hype and the health of James’ eyebrows.
In the past three seasons, the Lakers’ three-point shooting percentage ranked 21st, 22nd, and 25th respectively. So far in the new season, the Lakers’ outside shooting is still somewhat slow.
Fortunately, compared to the previous three seasons, the Lakers have introduced more shooters this season. Reeves, Russell, Hachimura, Vincent, Wood and Christie are all players with a shooting percentage of around 40%.
Brother Big Eyebrow performed well in three-point shooting in the preseason, and he conducted special training for this in the offseason. James’ three-point shooting status is also good so far in the new season. If the Lakers’ role players improve to their career average level, the Lakers will be in this period. Xiang ushered in a big improvement.
Reeves was the biggest surprise player for the Lakers last season. He entered the starting lineup in the last 8 games of the regular season. During this period, he shot 48% from three-point range. In the playoffs, his three-point shooting percentage increased to a terrifying 56%, averaging 56% per game. Scored 17 points and averaged 21 points per game against the Nuggets.
During the offseason, he became the second scorer in the US men’s basketball team, averaging 22 minutes per game and scoring 14 points efficiently. Unfortunately, his performance so far in the new season has been relatively poor.
Fortunately, he seemed to have some momentum to recover in the key game against the Clippers.
Factor three: Can Russell complete self-certification?
Russell was in sharp contrast between the regular season and the playoffs last season. He averaged 17.4 points and 6.1 assists in the regular season, but his numbers dropped to 13.3 points and 4.6 assists in the playoffs.
He also showed polarization in the playoffs. He became a surprise player in the game against the Warriors, but was completely misfired against the Nuggets, making it unclear which state is the real Russell.
If he can prove his value on the offensive end in the new season, average 15+5 per game, and maintain a 40% three-point shooting rate, then the Lakers will go far and steadily.
Factor 2: Is the bench as strong as it appears on paper?
On paper, the Lakers have one of the best lineups in the league, especially the forward and interior configurations.
Rui Hachimura, Wood, Vanderbilt, Reddish, and Hayes are all players who can stably enter the rotation and share the pressure on James.
Whether Vincent and Christie can continue to provide shooting will also determine how far the Lakers can go. Judging from the performance so far in the new season, the Lakers’ bench lineup is trustworthy.
Factor 1: Whether Zhan Mei can maintain dominance and health
In the final analysis, the Lakers are James’ team. Only when both of them are healthy and on the court at the same time, the Lakers have a chance to compete for the championship.
Judging from the games at the beginning of the new season, Zhan Mei is still dominant, and whether he can stay healthy for a long time becomes the key to testing the two.
What determines the health of the two of them is precisely the 4 points mentioned above. If the teammates around him are in hot condition, according to the depth and configuration of the Lakers’ lineup, Zhan Mei does not need to waste too much physical and energy in the regular season, then the Lakers who are in full condition will In the playoffs, they will be tough opponents that no team is willing to face.
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2023-11-04 12:13:00
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