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3 hurdles that could keep the Los Angeles Lakers from winning the title

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts end of the game after losing to the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on April 30, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts end of the game after losing to the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on April 30, 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers have not played together enough

This is a real issue that often gets overlooked in the NBA. This was one of the main reasons why I was so confident that the Los Angeles Clippers were not a threat to the Los Angeles Lakers last season so it is only fair that I use the same argument against the Lakers.

However, the Clippers were very obviously ducking the Lakers, so maybe we should be just as confident this season as well.

The Lakers have simply not spent enough time on the floor together and it goes deeper than just the new additions Andre Drummond and Ben McLemore. That is a hurdle as well, as LeBron and AD have only played a very small handful of games with the new additions.

But the existing players have not played with both superstars as well. Yes, this is a team that just won the NBA Championship last season but it is also a team that changed the roster significantly.

Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol and Wesley Matthews will all play a role in the playoffs and they really have not played much with both stars in the lineup. Schroder is the player to really be worried about, as he is most successful with a huge usage rate and that usage rate will take a big dip with the stars back in action.

When we talk about the NBA Playoffs we are talking about the best teams in the league playing in the most high-pressure situations possible. While the Lakers have the experience advantage over any team in the league, they have the disadvantage of not having the same on-court chemistry that a team like the Utah Jazz, or even the Los Angeles Clippers, have.

But even if they get past those teams in the West there is still one more big hurdle to overcome.

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