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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for the second half of the season

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on February 12, 2021 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on February 12, 2021 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. LeBron James falls out of the MVP discussion

This is probably sacrilegious to say and I know that most Lakers fans disagree with me on this one but I never understood why LeBron James was being touted as the MVP favorite this season. He has been typical LeBron, but I have been far more impressed with Joel Embiid and even Nikola Jokic this season.

The main argument for LeBron seemed to be that he was putting up such good numbers and shooting marks despite playing the fewest minutes of his career. Well, that argument has broken down and is no longer applicable.

He is averaging the exact same minutes per game as last season while averaging 25.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists. Again, those are fantastic numbers and it is the kind of production we are used to from LeBron James, but his shooting has taken a massive hit (three-point percentage down to 35.8%) and he has not had the kind of impact on his team that someone like Embiid has had.

LeBron had the chance to really drive home the MVP narrative with Anthony Davis out and I just do not think he has done that. The team has been pretty bad without Anthony Davis, and while LeBron is not totally to blame, it would have helped his MVP case if the Lakers kept trekking along conducting business as usual despite not having Davis.

I think the team will continue to struggle (for their own standards) with Davis out and we might see a more relaxed LeBron that just wants to get to the postseason healthy. Once Davis returns they are going to look to ramp him back to his old production, cutting LeBron’s production in the process.

So while I think the team will end the season on a crazy run (we will get to that next slide), I think LeBron James will find himself on the outside looking in for the MVP award. A finalist most likely, but not someone who should win the award.

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