A blockbuster trade has shocked the world. How does it impact the Los Angeles Lakers?
As you all know by now, James Harden has been dealt to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a bundle of assets. This trade sent shockwaves through the NBA as a new “Big 3” and possibly the best big 3 ever has formed.
Taking a look at the Nets roster they are now led by arguably the 3 most prolific scorers in NBA History. James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving are certified bucket getters. These men simply score at will and are nightmare matchups for opposing defenses.
Many question how the offense will look with 3 ball-dominant players, I’ve heard from many analysts, “There’s only one ball,” “Who’s going to run the offense?” “How will the locker room stay afloat?” I think none of this matters at all.
When you look at all three of these superstars in the past they have all struggled with the same universal problem, and that is they can’t get enough one on one looks. Come playoff time these men all struggle from teams doubling and forcing the ball out of their hands.
We saw our Lakers dismantle Houston in 5 games by forcing someone other than James Harden to make plays. I can assure the public now if any team tries doubling any player on the Nets they will be in for a very long night.
When you look at the rest of Brooklyn’s roster and potential starting lineup you see DeAndre Jordan and Joe Harris, these men mesh perfectly with the 3 stars play style. Deandre Jordan will be lethal in the pick and roll and half-court game with James Harden or any of the big 3, you can just pick your poison with them.
I anticipate a lot of throwback Lob City dunks from him. Jordan will also be an interior force in the paint defensively and will look to be an elite rim protector for Brooklyn. With Jarrett Allen being sent away for Harden I think DeAndre will play well with the new extended minutes he will see.
If defenses look to help off and leave a player like Joe Harris open he can let it fly from deep. Joe will be able to spread the floor and give more space for James, KD, and Kyrie to operate.
Now let’s take our attention away from all of that for a second.
The Los Angeles Lakers came into the season on fire. They have looked unstoppable these last few weeks everything seems to be clicking. They are currently listed as the favorites to win the NBA Championship at +260.
People have begun comparing them already on paper, and I believe we might need to make just a few minor changes, so that come playoff time we are ready for all challenges.
The Lakers’ biggest advantage over Brooklyn will be down low. I think Brooklyn sleepwalks to the finals, if LA wants to repeat Davis must be able to take over games down the stretch, when players like Durant and Jordan are matched up on him he must score.
He is the sole miss match and advantage that the Lakers have on Brooklyn. However, I feel the guard play of Brooklyn will be too much for the Lakers guards, if LA wants to have any chance of going back to back they must be defensively sound.
The depth of the Lakers is where I also feel they will have an advantage, LA has many guys off the bench that can contribute at any given moment. It’s very possible that the Nets look to add some vets, but we will see what happens before the deadline.
This year’s NBA Playoffs could shape up to be some of the best basketball we’ve ever seen, and the 36-year-old LeBron James, the best player in the world knows time is running out and he will be sure to do everything he can to bring another championship to LA.