The Los Angeles Lakers have the leading candidate for MVP in LeBron James!
Even though Luka Doncic will be driven by the major network hype machine for MVP, it is hard to say that he is playing at a higher level than LeBron James to start this season. After this road trip, it is now impossible without losing credibility. What James has done on the road trip is transcending past the hardwood.
He backed Anthony Davis’ criticism of the defense by announcing that the goal for the Los Angeles Lakers is to be the number one rated defense in the NBA. (Fun fact: The Lakers ARE the number one rated defense in the NBA!).
With one 3 pointer, he basically showed any high level free agent during the buyout season that Los Angeles is the place to be.
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1349175151724621826
He is showing how the old school Lakers load managed in the good old days. He could have gone for 50 points against Houston but only finished with 26. He sees the big picture and is preparing for the better teams down the road. Next week, the Lake Show meet the Milwaukee Bucks.
Since OKC had no chance of winning this game, LeBron worked on his long range game knocking down five 3 pointers in eight tries. The Thunder couldn’t stop him even if they fouled him and they didn’t.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1349545371710746626
LeBron led the Lakers (Like again!) filling up the box score with 26 points (9-20 shooting!), 7 assists and 6 rebounds. He wasn’t careless with the ball (Only two turnovers!) and hit his free throws. This was one of the more efficient 27 minutes you will find this early in the NBA season.
It’s hard to for casual fans to understand now that the Lakers aren’t on their National schedule yet, but even though LeBron’s stats are lower than last year’s, he’s playing at a higher level.
As smooth as LeBron James was on the court, Anthony Davis played just as dominant. Only this time AD made his presence early and with authority. Read on to see what we are talking about.