Los Angeles Lakers: Who is the biggest threat to the title repeat?

By Tyler Soso | Jan 29, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 06: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after his basket in front of Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on March 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

With a quarter of the NBA season complete, several teams are positioning themselves as threats to dethrone the defending champions.

Coming into this NBA season, there were several teams who looked like potential threats to the Los Angeles Lakers‘ quest to repeat as NBA champions. However, through the first month of play, there are some teams from that pool who have gotten off to slow starts, therefore not looking as intimidating as expected.

Teams such as the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, and Portland Trail Blazers are not exactly living up to their pre-season expectations due to injuries, COVID-19 health & safety protocols, or simply just losing games that they should be winning.

It is for these reasons that there are only a handful of teams in the entire league that look like they could cause the Lakers problems when the postseason begins in late May.

Let’s break down the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest threats, first starting on the other side of the country in the Eastern Conference.

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