The Los Angeles Lakers season is roughly 1/3 completed and the team is playing some it’s best ball of the season. Let’s examine eight factors and trends so far and what they mean for the future.
After starting the season 2-5, the Los Angeles Lakers have won 15 of their last 20 games. How did that happen, and what does it say about the rest of the season? Let’s examine some factors and trends and what it could mean for the rest of the season.
1. A Slow Start Was Inevitable
Remember when the Lakers lost their first three games, all to teams who made the playoffs last year? Panic started to set in among certain fans. Even some media members actually labeled Game 4 against Phoenix a ‘must-win’ game.
No, the sky wasn’t falling. Rather, the Lakers had entered the season with a mix of eight players with two years or fewer of NBA experience and six free agent veterans who each played for a different team last year.
It didn’t take a genius to realize it would take the team time to come together. Magic Johnson knew it, as did both LeBron James and Luke Walton. There was virtually no chance the Lakers would hit the ground running. And that was particularly true on the defensive end (more about that to follow).
Frustration began to set in after the Lakers split their next four games and their record stood at 2-5. But, the reality is that a tough early schedule worked against a team trying to learn how to play with one another on the fly.
Indeed, eight of their first 10 games were against teams expected to compete for playoff berths this year. Given that background, a 4-6 won-lost record really wasn’t that bad.