The Los Angeles Lakers sent shockwaves through the league when they signed Andre Drummond to a veterans minimum contract.
This move gave the Lakers a player that they could clearly identify as their third star player. As a result of this, many have deemed this Lakers team as a “Big 3”.
Heading into the season, the goals of this team were obvious. The goals being championship or bust. However, with the addition of Drummond, the stakes are now higher than they were heading into the season.
For this Big 3 to be deemed a success in the eyes of many, the Los Angeles Lakers will have to win the NBA Championship.
This is something that will be much easier said than done. The Los Angeles Lakers faced many injuries throughout this season and as a result, will likely face a tough road in the playoffs.
The Lakers even have a hurdle that no other title-winning team has had to overcome, participating in the play-in tournament. However, that matchup against the Golden State Warriors is very favorable for the Lakers.
Along with this, the three Lakers stars have only been able to share the court together twice since they were assembled.
Since the addition of Drummond to the team, all three stars have been sidelined with injuries from at one point or another.
Drummond with a toe contusion, James with an ankle injury, and Davis with a calf/Achilles injury. In both games Drummond, James, and Davis played together, the Lakers lost to inferior opponents.
In the first game, the Lakers fell to the Sacramento Kings in a final score of 110-106. James finished the game with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Davis totaled 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Finally, Drummond had 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
James was the only player in the Big 3 that had a positive plus-minus against the Kings. In their second game together, the Lakers fell to the Toronto Raptors. The final score being 121-114.
In this contest, James finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Davis put up 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Finally, Drummond totaled 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Drummond was the only player of the Big 3 that had a positive plus-minus against the Raptors.
Through the first two games, it is clear that the on-court chemistry is not where it needs to be between the three players yet.
If the Lakers fall short of their goals this season, there is a possibility that Drummond would be willing to run it back with the purple and gold on a team-friendly contract.
However, if the Lakers cannot win the Finals this season, and Drummond leaves for more money in free agency, this Big 3 will likely be deemed a failure.
If they are able to bring everything together in the postseason and repeat as NBA champions, the big three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Andre Drummond will be one of if not the most respected trio in the league and lead to a potential dynasty.