2. Stay healthy and focused
One resolution that usually at the top of everyone’s list has to do with a new health program, diet, or workout routine.
This year it should be to be more focused on staying healthy but in a different way. With the coronavirus lurking around the entire globe, it is smart to take extra precautions headed into the new year that one would not normally think about like wearing a face mask in public and social distancing.
With professional athletes, that is also the case. The Houston Rockets and multiple NFL teams have already demonstrated this year that even a small breach of the COVID protocol can cost a player to miss games and can cost teammates in close proximity to miss games as well.
In last year’s bubble, it cost the Rockets as well when their 3 and D wing Danuel House was sent home for violating one of the COVID policies that were in place in that setting.
It can also be argued that COVID affected the Clippers’ run in last year’s postseason with many of their players leaving the bubble at times for various reasons, including getting chicken wings for Lemon Pepper Lou Williams.
With all that being said, one of the only things that can derail this Lakers train that is on track to back-to-back titles seems to be if they can stay healthy throughout the whole season by avoiding injuries and the coronavirus. If the Lakers can stay healthy, most importantly their two stars stay healthy, then it is hard to see them losing to anyone in a seven-game series.
Luckily for the Lakers, they have great team chemistry and leadership and that helps them manage distractions better than perhaps any team in the league.
That means barring an on the court injury that is unpredictable and can happen to anyone in the league, it is doubtful the Lakers roster will be at risk of missing a portion of the season due to careless COVID protocol violations.
Changing the supporting pieces on the roster will also help this team from becoming too complacent and resting on last year’s success. Those subtle additions should maintain their laser focus and keep the entire group hungry for a repeat of last season.