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3 reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers could have the best offense ever

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after winning the 2020 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after winning the 2020 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Reason #3: The Los Angeles Lakers supporting cast can take over games

Shooters like Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Malik Monk, and Wayne Ellington will give LeBron and Westbrook enough space to attack the basket without defenses loading up on their drives.

Monk has the potential to be the next great Lakers shooting guard. While in Charlotte, he had a 36 point game last season. He will get plenty of open looks generated by the LeBron/AD/Westbrook trio. The last time he played on a so-called super team, he was regularly going off for 40 point games while playing college basketball at Kentucky.

THT will only get better in his third season as a slashing guard coming off the bench. New Lakers guard Kendrick Nunn also has some off-the-bounce verve but is a savvy off-ball cutter. Kent Bazemore is an excellent finisher and can become the Lakers’ defensive stopper.

Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan both provide vertical spacing from the center position. When Anthony Davis needs a blow, a simple pick-and-roll between one of Westbrook/LeBron and one of Howard/Jordan can carry the Lakers’ offense for stretches.

This season’s Lakers have eight players who rate as elite at generating easy shots for their teammates (this list is outdated because Marc Gasol is no longer on the Lakers).

Most of the Lakers rotation players rate highly in how they generate open looks for their teammates. Even a shooter like Wayne Ellington moves without the ball so effectively that it generates easier looks for his teammates.

The Lakers have the offensive talent to be among the league leaders in pace, offensive efficiency, and assists per game. The diverse skillset of the Lakers roster makes me genuinely think they will break Milwaukee’s scoring total from last season.

Will the Lakers break Denver’s all-time record of 126.5 points per game?

Ultimately, the Lakers will score more than 120 points per game this season. But the Lakers will fall short of Denver’s scoring record from 40 years ago.

Denver played a full nine possessions faster than the Lakers championship team from two seasons ago. Playing at Denver’s pace would almost be counterproductive because their defense would suffer dramatically.

Even so, the Lakers will have an incredible offense this season. I am excited to see the Los Angeles Lakers new-look offense in action against the Golden State Warriors on opening night.

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