The last several weeks have been rough for the Los Angeles Lakers.
First, the team started struggling offensively despite going on a seven-game winning streak, then superstar big man Anthony Davis suffered a calf strain and case of Achilles tendonosis, which threw a monkey wrench into the team’s hopes of repeating as NBA champs.
Then starters Marc Gasol and Dennis Schroder each missed several games due to being placed in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
But when LeBron James suffered a high ankle sprain on March 20 against the Atlanta Hawks, a bit of panic crept into the souls of Lakers fans.
No one ever wants their team’s key players, let alone superstars, to suffer any kind of injury, as it’s the one thing that can singlehandedly prevent a team from winning a world championship.
However, there could be some silver linings to James’ injury, where it could actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise in multiple ways.
Before we get into the ways and all the details on how this could be the case, I should point out the obvious caveat.
James’ injury will only pay dividends if the Lakers win enough games between now and when he comes back. In addition, he (and Davis) has to return soon enough to give the entire team enough time to gel and become the best version of itself prior to the start of the NBA playoffs.