3 Lakers that must step up to avoid disaster after LeBron James injury

By Jason Reed | Feb 28, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with injured LeBron James #6 during a time out against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 11, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Dennis Schroder Lakers /

2. Dennis Schroder

Many fans probably thought that D’Angelo Russell would be the second player on this list. Don’t get it twisted, Russell is the second-most important player on the Lakers while LeBron James is injured and is going to play a big role himself.

But the Lakers don’t really need Russell to step up. The team needs him to continue doing the things he was doing before LeBron got hurt at a slightly higher frequency. If he continues to do that then he will be in a good place.

Instead, there is another guard that needs to step up more and that is Dennis Schroder. While Russell is obviously going to play a big role as well, Schroder is going to be the team’s primary playmaker now that LeBron is out of commission.

The Lakers need Dennis Schroder to be more efficient.

There are times watching Dennis Schroder when it is going really great and it is obvious to see the value that he adds to a team. However, then there are times when he looks like Russell Westbrook-light and shows some of the same tendencies as a high-usage point guard.

Sometimes less is more with a player and that is the case for Schroder. The team needs him to step up but they don’t need him to step up and play hero ball. Los Angeles needs him to be smart, savvy, calculated, and help operate this offense at a high level.

Schroder has proven that he can do it and he has shown a great rapport with Anthony Davis in the past. That needs to continue for LA.

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