Reggie Millers said something prolific and true when discussing the Los Angeles Lakers during the Lakers-Celtics game last week. Miller brought up the same point that many bring up that it does not matter what seed the Lakers are in the NBA Playoffs.
When the team has all its players back, it shall be a force to reckon with and the rest of the NBA knows it. Mr. Miller, I could not agree more as so many die-hard Lakers fans know this to be true.
We are not looking at the games that they have lost as a reason to think this team will not be ready when the time comes. In fact, it will be the opposite. LeBron is out of his walking boot and Anthony Davis has been practicing. It is only a matter of time.
That being said, the rest of the NBA is going to have major problems with the Lakers when and if they face them.
Let’s look at the teams that will struggle the most against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are the first team that comes to mind and are hovering above the Lakers at fourth place in the Western Conference. Look, I respect them as a team and I think that head coach Mike Maloney has done a very good job.
However, the current and unfortunate loss of point guard Jamal Murray is going to hurt them very much. He was a spark plug that made that team go. I know what some are going to say. Nikola Jokic, correct?
While he is having a great season and is extremely talented, he is going to have major trouble now that Murray is gone because opponents are going to lock down on him and the Lakers will be prepared especially for Jokic by throwing Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, and Marc Gasol at him.
Jokic doesn’t like to get into it physically. He seems to whine way too much anytime there is contact. I am not a fan of his style of play, as he seems to move in slow motion.
Portland Trail Blazers
They had their chance. It didn’t happen. Although they seemed to have picked it up a bit, I still feel they don’t have enough gas in the tank, especially if they have to face the Los Angeles Lakers.
Damian Lillard is what makes them tick. We all know that but with the recent moves they have made, their roster has been upgraded a bit but they lack the strength deep inside, and down low.
If they face the Lakers, Drummond, Davis, and Harrell will be far too much for them down low, especially if and when the game is slowed down. Enes Kanter is a very hard-working player but who else do they have down low. Jusuf Nurkic has been on and off with injuries all season long.
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is not from this planet. That guy is so talented it’s scary! That being said, what else do the Mavericks have other than him?
Kristaps Porzingis is a player that I have never been able to figure out. His game is very confusing to me and I don’t think he even knows where he truly fits in, especially with his size. The Lakers will be able to dominate down low while LeBron picks them off.
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The Mavericks need various other pieces to the puzzle in order to be a legit threat but I do like Marc Cuban and respect him as he seems to be getting this team to the next level.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Los Angeles Lakers swept them this season, beating them three times. This isn’t a bad team at all as they are still predominantly a young and up-and-coming team. That being said, they lack the experience and depth against a team such as the Lakers.
When it comes down to it, the Lakers will all-out pulverize Memphis with their multi-talented roster and will be able to use many different aspects to do so. They don’t have an answer for LeBron (then again, nobody does) and they will get hurt down low once Drummond is back to being himself
They also will not be able to control Anthony Davis of course.
Golden State Warriors
Right now, they are the ninth seed but that could possibly change very soon. Things haven’t been easy for the once-great Warriors. They don’t have Klay Thompson, they just lost James Wiseman for the season, and Eric Paschall is out for two weeks.
To be honest this team hasn’t looked one hundred percent all season long. There have been glimpses, but that’s just about it. Steph Curry, one of the greatest players in the NBA, carries this team.
Kelly Oubre, who is a very talented player, has seen his scoring decline this season and doesn’t seem to be very comfortable In Golden State (he won’t be there next year). Curry will always get his, but other than that, they are a bit similar to the Mavericks with Doncic. The Lakers would dominate them in a series from all ends.
Look, we all know that the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and the Utah Jazz are going to be somewhat difficult. That being said, with a full lineup, the Lakers will have the experience factor over the three.
The experience factor weighs in very much. We also don’t know if these three will be upset in the playoffs as we have seen it happen before. The Lakers need to just do what they are doing in getting their players healthy and ready for these matchups when and if it comes down to it.
It will be rather interesting to see what happens as the season moves along. Stay positive all! Good things will happen for the Los Angeles Lakers.