Reason #2: Russell Westbrook and LeBron James will elevate Anthony Davis to new heights
The Lakers will run opposing teams out of the gym. LeBron James and Russell Westbrook will constantly put pressure on opposing defenses in transition.
LeBron has gotten many role players (e.g. Daniel Gibson) huge contracts just by delivering them the ball on time and on target.
Westbrook was the reason why Bradley Beal had a career year last season, averaging a career-high 31.3 points last season.
Westbrook also elevated younger players on Washington such as Rui Hachimura and Daniel Gafford by simply finding them in transition. Hachimura and Gafford did an excellent job beating their man down the court and running to the rim before the defense could get set.
But if Westbrook can give a superstar like Beal a career year – and elevate Hachimura and Gafford into starting-caliber players, imagine how he will impact Anthony Davis.
Lakers fans were (rightfully) angry when former Lakers point guard Dennis Schroder did not always look for AD on the low block. AD’s production suffered last season simply because Schroder did not give him the ball enough.
AD will not have that problem with Westbrook.
"“He’s one of a kind,” Westbrook said of Davis on Wednesday. “There’s nobody like him who can do everything he’s able to do at his size. And my job is to make sure I continue to push him each day, each practice, each game, so he can be at the top of his game each and every night.”"
Even if the initial fast break is not there, the Lakers will most likely run a dribble-drive offense centered around LeBron and Westbrook.
Defending both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook will wear down opposing teams on offense, because all their energy will be devoted to keeping them out of the paint.
With defenses zeroed in on LeBron and Westbrook, AD will feast on lobs and cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass.
But it’s not just about the new Lakers big three. The Lakers have engineered a roster with diverse skillsets on offense.