The Los Angeles Lakers have one of the most talented and deep rosters in the entire league. The team has two legitimate top 10 players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, another top 25 player in Russell Westbrook and a rotation that is legitimately 13-deep with solid contributors.
The Lakers will likely add a 14th rotation-worthy player before the season as well. There are no wasted roster spots in LA.
As we saw last season, talent does not always result in a championship as things can derail a season. Both AD and LeBron were banged up last season and that resulted not only in a lower ceiling for the team, but less chemistry with the roster.
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COVID-19 complications can also derail a season as well. All it takes is an outbreak at the wrong time and an entire season can go to the wayside. That is why Rob Pelinka’s latest comments about the team’s vaccination status is so critical.
Pelinka confirmed that every single member of the roster will be considered fully vaccinated by the time the season begins on October 19. That essentially means that every player will have received their last vaccination dose by October 5.
Why this is great news for the Los Angeles Lakers
Regardless of anyone’s view on being vaccinated, the fact of the matter is that it is a competitive advantage for the entire roster to be vaccinated. Not only is there a smaller chance of the players actually contracting COVID, but the protocols that are put into place with testing positive and contact tracing are not as punishing.
Chris Paul tested positive for COVID-19 during last year’s playoffs and was able to return after missing only two games and thankfully did not have any symptoms. It was a better experience for Paul and it was better for the Suns as they got him back in action sooner.
There are also the local government rules that are being put in place at certain arenas. As it currently stands, players have to be fully vaccinated in New York (Knicks and Nets) and San Francisco (Warriors) to even play in the game. If they aren’t then they cannot play.
The Lakers are not going to have to deal with that problem if the entire team is vaccinated and it could further be an advantage for the team. Los Angeles County just announced that anyone attending a “mega-event” — which includes sporting events — has to be vaccinated or produce a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event.
While there currently is no mandate that the players also have to be vaccinated, we also cannot rule out that is could be on the horizon for the Staples Center as well.
All in all, this is positive news for the Los Angeles Lakers.