This season for the Los Angeles Lakers has been a puzzling one to evaluate. At one point, this season was widely viewed as a bridge year between the LeBron James and Luka Doncic eras in LA. The Lakers were playing solid basketball and had the makings of a playoff team, but lacked the signature wins and championship culture that set true contenders apart.
All of this has changed over the last 11 games for the purple and gold. With the regular season coming to a close, the Lakers have gotten hot at the right time, picking up back-to-back wins over the Houston Rockets and claiming the third seed out West. The Lakers have also picked up wins over the New York Knicks, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Denver Nuggets over this stretch.
With Doncic being engaged defensively and scoring 30-plus points in the Lakers' last seven games, he's in full playoff mode already. LeBron is turning the clock back with a 30-point performance on 13-for-14 shooting. Austin Reaves is a steady 20-plus-point machine.
Marcus Smart is setting the tone defensively and bringing winning habits from his time in Boston. Deandre Ayton is finally figuring out his role. And players like Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes, Luke Kennard, and Rui Hachimura are all comfortable role players who are playing winning basketball.
The timing of this all coming together for JJ Redick is like a chef delivering a perfect meal just as a food critic walks in.
Lakers are peaking at the perfect time for a playoff push
The Lakers knocking off the Rockets in back-to-back games was the statement that they are back and should be viewed as real title contenders. Houston was surging, with an 8-5 record since the All-Star break, before LA handed them two straight losses on their home court.
While Luka did have an impressive performance in both wins, scoring 36 points in the first and 40 in the second, he wasn't the only reason for these wins. That's what's been different for LA lately.
It's been way more about team effort and everyone buying into whatever role Redick believes benefits the team most. Ayton, specifically, has really turned things around with an uptick in his engagement defensively and taking accountability for his lack of intensity earlier in the season.
Right now, it's March Madness, and every year, we see one or two teams enter the tournament hot and carry them deep into the dance. This same sentiment can apply to any professional sport.
Right now in the NBA, the Lakers are that team. LA is getting really hot and at the exact right time as the playoffs come around the corner. The Lakers have been propelled right back into the championship picture.