Reason #1: The Los Angeles Lakers got hurt!
Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers benefitted from opponents getting injured. Now they are on the other side of the spectrum.
The Lakers are title contenders as long LeBron James and Anthony Davis are on the team. But like many other narratives in the sports world, that does not tell the whole story.
Because LeBron (high-ankle sprain) and AD (Achilles) are just not going to be the same due to their respective injuries.
Professional athletes are praised all the time in the sports media for having the “grit” to play through an injury that would otherwise knock out us mere mortals.
That doesn’t mean they are going to be as good.
Any lingering injury below the knee for basketball players is devastating. Basketball constantly puts an incredible amount of stress on ankles and knees – whether it’s cutting to the basket, closing out on shooters, or coming off screens on offense.
Anthony Davis may return from injury in time to dominate again. LeBron James, unfortunately, won’t be the same until his high ankle sprain is fully healed this offseason.
Why LeBron James’ high ankle sprain hurts his game and the Lakers offense:
Except perhaps Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James is the most powerful NBA player ever. In physics, power is force multiplied by speed. LeBron’s size and strength are unparalleled by ANY perimeter player. No post player has EVER matched his speed or quickness.
By definition, his high-ankle sprain took away HALF of his power, which is why LeBron has not been able to overpower his defender at the basket or have the nifty footwork to spin past the defender if need be.
This LeBron pass to Caruso was clean. But notice he never had to put any pressure on his ankle when gliding up the court in transition.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 3, 2021
Again, just looking at highlights and the box score does not tell the whole story.
In his last two games returning from injury, LeBron averaged 17.5 points in only 30 minutes per game, shooting over 50% from the field.
LeBron was “efficient” but NOT dominant.
LeBron is not wrong when he says he will not be 100% for the rest of his career – but where he’s not 100% is extremely important. The high ankle sprain is horrible for his game.
If they make it to the first round (I never thought I would have typed these words!), they will be playing either the Utah Jazz or Phoenix Suns, two elite defenses with multiple defenders suited to defend LeBron on the perimeter.
The best way to use a hobbled LeBron is to run the offense through him in the low post or to use him as an overqualified spot-up shooter.
But with either two traditional big men (Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol, or Montrezl Harrell) always in the game, there is not enough time or space for LeBron to reinvent himself as a 1990’s power forward or as a three-point specialist.
Not to mention just how devastating LeBron’s injury is to the entire offense. Opposing defenses collapse on LeBron ALL THE TIME which sets up everybody else for WIDE OPEN shots.
I am screaming in all caps because NOBODY ELSE on the Lakers is getting the same kind of looks on offense minus LeBron.
Even if he returns, do not assume LeBron is going to play as he did inside the bubble. Anthony Davis has to score over 30 points per game to even make the Lakers competitive right now.
That’s a problem.