The Los Angeles Lakers will usher in a crucial 2021-22 season—in fact, considering LeBron’s growing age, it’s for them every year after his contract period ends. Are all crucial.
owns such powerful brands as "LeBron" and "Lakers", and people place a lot of expectations on them. For the Purple and Golden Army, not winning the championship next season is a failure.
Next, take a look at our outlook for the Lakers for the 2021-22 season.
lineup changes
return: LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Taron Horton-Tucker_span24 pspan _span24 pspan Taron Horton-Tucker_span24 pspan (Washington), Nunn (Miami), Anthony ( Portland ), Ariza (Miami), Ellington (Detroit), Howard (Philadelphia), Rondo (Clippers), Jordan Jr. (Brooklyn), Baezmore (Golden State), Munch (Charlotte), Oliver, Mike McLean (Texas Tech), Chandi Brown (Michigan) ), Joel Ayayi (Gonzaga) and Austin Reeves (Oklahoma)
Lost: Wesley Matthews, Alfonso McKinney_ span24span, Devonta Kacock (Brooklyn), Dennis Schroeder (Boston),Kentavis Caldwell Pope (Washington), Montrez Harrell (Washington), Kyle Kuzma (Washington), Alex Caruso (Chicago) ), Marc Gasol, Jared Dudley (retired), Markieff Morris (Miami), Andre Drummond (Philadelphia), Ben McLemore (Poland) Tran) and Costas Antetokounmpo.
advantage
Incredible number of stars ... Of course, most of the players on this team are no longer in their peak state. But despite this, the Lakers still have more than one MVP candidate. They also added Westbrook, a real All-Star player who just finished averaging a triple-double once again and was the league assist king last season. .
Then they filled the rest of the list with quality veterans such as Howard, Rondo and Anthony. From the data point of view, you have one of the most star-studded lists in history.
Regarding the influence of age on James' athletic state, it is purely unfounded. James is still ranked fifth in the league last season in plus-minus value. His data is 25.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists, and his shooting percentage exceeds 51.0%. And next season will play with another elite organization core-Russell Westbrook-this is the first time in his career.
We have reason to believe that the Lakers will have a more energetic and healthier LeBron James in key games at the end of the season and in the playoffs.
* Their size will once again become an advantage ... The Lakers can win the NBA championship in the 2019-20 season, largely due to their dominance on offensive rebounds, Win a lot of extra offensive opportunities while preventing the opponent from grabbing offensive rebounds-in the 2020 playoffs,Los Angeles has the highest rebound rate and offensive rebound rate of any team. They mysteriously gave up this advantage last year, but fortunately this year they once again have Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan and Anthony Davis combination-they can bully opponents on the other side of the court as much as they want. .
* rich championship experience ...Thanks to their best players, the Lakers have rich championship experience. LeBron James participated in 10 shocking NBA finals and won them. Davis had a trip to the finals in Los Angeles, and a championship ring; plus Russell Westbrook, who helped the team reach the finals, and participated in two championships. Dwight Howard, who won the finals and won the finals once; and Rajon Rondo, who won the championship twice, you will have a veteran lineup with rich playoff experience-this will not be a team under pressure The team that is upset.
Weaknesses
Their age may be an obstacle ... There are many doubts about the Lakers' age in the 2021-22 season, and there are good reasons. James will be 36 years old at the start of the season, and will be 37 years old in late December. Anthony is 37 years old, Westbrook is 32 years old, Rondo is 35 years old, Howard is 35 years old, Jordan is 33 years old, and Trevor Ariza is 36 years old. If Los Angeles succeeds in winning this year, they will set a record in terms of average age.
Durability is the same ... Last season, James and Davis missed a total of 63 regular season games. In the playoffs, Davis also suffered another injury. Westbrook may be the most durable of the Big Three of the Lakers, but considering his crazy rhythm,It may be difficult for the Lakers to rely on him-and this has not discussed those players who are in their twilight years in their careers, and they are likely to be absent at some point in the season.
Shooting may still be a problem ... In the 2020-21 season, the Lakers made 35.4% of their three-pointers and ranked 21st in their three-pointers. Although they brought Wayne Ellington (42.2% from last season), Kendrick Nunn (38.1%), Anthony (40.9%) and Kent Bazemore (40.8%) is a reliable supplement, but in fact, to what extent they can solve Westbrook's shooting problem is still unknown.
The chemical reaction may take some time to produce …Only 3 players from the Lakers last season returned: James, Davis and Taron Horton-Tucker (he plans for the 2021-22 season) The team plays a bigger role). Los Angeles needs to adapt to the outrageous number of new players playing with James and Davis, including Westbrook's point guard-he may be the most difficult point guard to get used to playing with James and Davis .
Conclusion
In the upcoming 2021-22 season, due to Jamal Murray , Kawhi Leonard _span24_span 24 Span24 Span24 Span24 Span24 Span24 Span24 Span23 Span and Span23 Span24 Span23 Span 24 Span Has weakened the competitiveness of potential Western Conference champion contenders, and no other team has taken an important step. Last year's top seed Utah Jazz and defending Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns became the main obstacles for the Lakers to enter the Finals.
With the talent level and depth of the Lakers, at least on paper, it looks better than the Suns or the Jazz. We are optimistic that Los Angeles may succeed in making the Western Conference, but joining Brooklyn in the Finals, they may be at a disadvantage.
.
