Waste and frustration. It’s as if we could qualify the season for the Violines & Or. While the season had started very well, the Lakers had a big hiatus around February with the injury of Anthony Davis then that of LeBron James. Then follows a slow and worrying descent in the standings. The Lakers can no longer do it without their duo. Worse, the titled players in 2020 are transparent (Caldwell-Pope, Morris, Kuzma) and the rookies signed with great fanfare in the summer (Schroder, Harrell) do not have the expected impact. Everyone plays for themselves and to serve their own interests. Frank Vogel has lost some of his mojo and the Lakers no longer play with what was their strength during the conquest of the title: defense. The other teams at the top of the standings are doing well and to make matters worse, Portland and Dallas, two teams long at the drive, find color. Result, the Lakers find themselves 7th and must go through the terrible play-in to the chagrin of LeBron James. After beating the Warriors, Los Angeles find themselves in the playoffs but must face one of the surprises of this regular season: the Phoenix Suns. The start of the series is hooked but what we feared on the side of LA happens: Anthony Davis is injured. Back in a hurry at the end of the season, Davis’ physique does not hold up. Overwhelmed by the collective and the loose game of the Suns, the defending champion was knocked out 4 – 2 and left the playoffs with immense regret.
- offseason movements
Arrives : Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Joel Ayayi, Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook.
Dparts : Kostas Antetokounmpo, Devontae Cacok, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso, Jared Dudley, Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, Isaiah Jackson, Damian Jones, Kyle Kuzma, Wesley Matthews, Alfonzo McKinnie, Ben McLemore, Markieff Morris, Dennis Schroder.
Guards : Joel Ayayi, Wayne Ellington, Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn, Austin Reaves, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook.
Forwards : Carmelon Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Talen Horton-Tucker, LeBron James.
Centers : Anthony Davis, DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard.
PG : Russell Westbrook – SG : Wayne Ellington – SF : LeBron James – PF : Trevor Ariza – C : Anthony Davis
Frank Vogel can count on a first-choice Big Three for next season. It remains to be seen how to surround LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis in order to fully exploit their attacking potential while relieving them as much as possible of defensive tasks. For this, Vogel could decide to line up Wayne Ellington and Trevor Ariza on the floor. Both vtrans are players of duty, ready to sacrifice themselves for the team every night. In addition to their defense, they will be able to bring this famous spacing, sought after by all coaches today. A spacing that would allow LeBron James or Anthony Davis to be able to shine fully. Be careful, however, since even before the season begins, Trevor Ariza is accumulating little physical springs. This could lead Frank Vogel and his staff to reconsider Carmelo Anthony’s place in the starting five. Nothing is set in stone either, and players like Kent Bazemore or Talen Horton-Tucker could land their starting spot later in the season. Last possible option, shift Anthony Davis at post 4 and align DeAndre Jordan at the start of the meeting at the pivot post.
With the departure of Alex Caruso for Chicago, Talen Horton-Tucker risks seeing his responsibilities grow. On leaving the bench, the little prodigy will have to show that his progression curve is still in its infancy. Rajon Rondo has made his return to the team, as has Dwight Howard. The two men, titled in 2020 with the Lakers, already know the house and the methods of Frank Vogel, they should be able to perform quickly and thus bring certainties to the second unit. Kendrick Nunn had shown great things on the Miami side, now that he has secured a multi-year contract with LA, he’s going to have to be sharp on offense and effective in defense, even if that’s not his strong suit. Carmelo Anthony should be able to bring his jump shot, his three-point skill and his game intelligence to the low post. The all-star winger will be the main offensive option off the bench and should be able to enjoy Vogel’s system. It will also be necessary to pay attention to the performances of Malik Monk, who had shown beautiful things on Charlotte’s side. Kent Bazemore should also bring this famous spacing with his more than satisfactory long distance address the season passes (41%).
- player follow: anthony davis
The past year was complicated for Anthony Davis. After getting off to a good start, the interior of the Lakers saw his physique betray him once again, mortgaging at the same time the dreams of doubling for the Lakers. The arrival of Russell Westbrook should allow LeBron James to be able to avoid certain obligations, but Davis must take advantage of the space offered to him by the front office. Exit the Harrells, Morris, and other Kuzma. There is only him in the racket. He must become the playmaker of these Lakers. LeBron James is in the twilight of his career, and little bit the handover has to happen. Davis has to work on his physique and no longer has to hide. In recent years, he has often been criticized for straying too far from the basket. Yes, he is capable of doing it, but he should not be caricature. Davis is a dominant pivot who needs to move closer to the circle. This year must be his.
– Un Big Three quilibr. With the arrival of Russell Westbrook, the Lakers finally have their titular playmaker capable of being a real threat every night. With a LeBron James on the wing and an Anthony Davis on the inside, the teams will have to face this new three-headed monster and with the quality and skill of the three men, it will not be easy for the opposing defenses.
– Vtrans who know their place. With the returns of Rajon Rondo, Trevor Ariza and Dwight Howard who already know the house, but also the arrival of Wayne Ellington, the front office has brought back duty players who know their place and their role. There should therefore not be a changing locker room atmosphere as may have been the case with the moods of Kyle Kuzma or Montrezl Harrell last season.
– Promising young players. Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn, Talen Horton-Tucker or our French Jol Ayayi will have to tear themselves apart to prove that they have their place in this organization. All of them have qualities that will allow Frank Vogel to work on different systems around this Big Three.
– Carmelo Anthony. You can say what you want, but despite his age, Carmelo Anthony remains a great player. Fearsome in attack, the former player from Denver, New York or Portland will be able to render great services to the Lakers. A time opposed to the idea of getting off the bench, Anthony has radically changed his state of mind since his time in Portland. Ready to help the team, according to him, Carmelo Anthony will be especially the spearhead of the attack in the first rotation. He will perfectly relieve LeBron James during his moments of rest and above all he will fill this lack of scoring of the second unit which has often failed the Lakers last season.
– A healthier group. Strange as it sounds, the 2020-2021 Lakers seemed like a stronger, more talented group. The departures of Danny Green, Dwight Howard, Javale McGee or Rondo had not really made up for it. Or at least poorly compensated. Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell never quite fit in. As a result, the team never gave the impression of shooting in the same direction. For this 2021 – 2022 season, Rob Pelinka tried to intelligently recruit players who do not necessarily need the ball (Ellington, Ariza, Monk), players of duty. This is why this group seems more balanced, in my opinion, than that of the season passes.
– The departure of Kyle Kuzma. At last.
– The age of the Lakers. This is one of the concerns that came up the most in the media day: “Aren’t these Lakers too old?” However, the average age of Frank Vogel’s team seems correct (30 years). The concern as long as the oldest elements, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo or Trevor Ariza are also the most important elements. This is the main concern and the main question that Frank Vogel and his staff will have to resolve. How to save your players without sacrificing victories. This is where the young players will have to take their responsibilities.
For the second year in a row, the Lakers have decided to turn everything upside down this offseason. After winning the title in 2020, the Lakers decided to bet on the total renewal of the workforce. Without success. Rob Pelinka has decided to do the same in the summer of 2021 but in a smarter way. The squad seems better built to surround the Big Three Davis – James – Westbrook. The arrival of Russell Westbrook will also allow this Lakers team to take a further step and the regular season should go more serenely than the previous year. Other teams like Utah and Phoenix will have a hard time keeping up last season’s level which should allow the Lakers to play the leading roles in the Western Conference. Frank Vogel’s men could go for the lead of the Conference if ever the physical tips leave the players alone, Anthony Davis in the lead. In writing, we don’t see the Lakers ending up outside the Conference’s TOP 3 at the end of the regular season. For the playoffs, it’s another story, but this Los Angeles Lakers team will clearly be one of the title contenders.
55 wins – 27 losses
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