The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2019-20 NBA season with Championship goals. What makes them different than teams like the Charlotte Hornets or Dallas Mavericks is that they actually have a shot. Last season, the Lakers underachieved. Not to take anything away from LeBron James, but it was proof that he alone could not get it done. So, the front office did their best to surround him with quality players this offseason to turn their misfortune around.
With the addition of Anthony Davis, Danny Green, and now Dwight Howard, the Lakers should not miss the playoffs this season. It's even to the point of title talk in L.A. Are the Lakers really threats to come out of the Western Conference with teams like the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Portland Trail Blazers also stacked to the ceiling with talent? On paper, the Lakers appear to be a lock for the WCF, but will it work on the court?
Here are 5 bold predictions for the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2019-20 NBA season
Lakers Will Have A Top 5 Defense
Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers struggled on the defensive end. Their offseason was spent on trying to remedy that situation. While LeBron can still get it done on that side of the ball, the rest of the roster was not able to match his intensity. Adding Anthony Davis will bring their stock up but the addition of defensive ace Danny Green should help as well. Now, they have added Dwight Howard to man the second unit, things could get interesting in The Staples Center this year.
Finishing the season ranked 21st in 2018 means nothing. The frontcourt will be hard to score on with Davis manning the paint along with LeBron and Kuzma. If Rondo can have a turn-back-the-clock type of defensive approach, combined with Green in the backcourt, opposing guards will struggle from the field against the Lakers. Defense wins championships.
LeBron James Will Concede To Anthony Davis
This won't be done to force Davis to stay next season but done so LeBron can rest some. The other factor for this is, LeBron doesn't have that much time left as no one escapes Father Time. By conceding the scoring load to Davis, this allows LeBron to utilize his other talents. Now he can focus harder on the defensive end which will be needed for the Lakers success.
Last season, despite injuries and the nasty relationship between him and the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.4 blocks per game. If he can get the same amount of touches with LeBron by his side, this will turn out to be Davis' best season as a pro.
Rajon Rondo Will Lead The League In Assists
Last season, Rondo's stock took a serious hit. Throughout his career, Rondo has always been a top assist man. The Lakers will need to let Rondo just be himself this season. If Rondo is given the minutes and green light to run the offense, he should be back to his former self. Despite his split with Lonzo Ball last season, Rondo still managed to average 8.0 assists.
The Lakers are set up almost the same way the Boston Celtics were when Rondo has Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce. Whether it's on a fast break or halfcourt set, Rondo will have plentiful options. On the perimeter, he will have Danny Green, LeBron, and Kuzma. In the paint, it's Anthony Davis. His court vision has not declined, just his playing time. With no real backup, if he can handle the load, Rondo should return to one of the best PGs in the league.
Lakers Will Be In Bottom 5 In Three-Point Percentage
If we were to just focus on the starters, who in the staring unit would you trust with the all in their hands behind the three-point line with the game on the line? LeBron James and his .339 percent? Danny Green (.455 percent) Kyle Kuzma (.303 percent), Rajon Rondo (.359 percent) or Anthony Davis (.331 percent)? You see the issue there? Driving to the basket will be the focal point of their offense but what happens when defenses begin to play off their man and dare them to shoot? How often will they get lucky?
This is where LeBron, Rondo, and Davis will have their work cut out for them. If Davis can find the right open man after the double team comes, the Lakers will have the looks. It's just a matter of Green, Kuzma, and LeBron making the shots. Green averaged 5.4 attempts per game last season while LeBron and Kuzma combined for 12 per game. Three-pointers are a huge part of any team's offense in the NBA and the Lakers will struggle.
Lakers Will Not Make NBA Finals
When the Los Angeles Lakers made the trade for Anthony Davis, fans began screaming NBA Finals. It does sound good and they do have a legit shot, but what's on paper does not equal on-court success. The Lakers will face many issues along the way this year with chemistry, three-point shooting, and injuries being just a few. But the other thing to consider is the Western Conference. This is not a Conference to take lightly. While LeBron has Davis, that's all the Lakers can count on.
The Los Angeles Clippers will be a tough out in a seven-game series. What Lakers' fans should be concerned with are injuries. Last season, James missed 27 games, Davis missed 26, and Rondo (36) has been back and forth on the injured list. Those are the three main guys the team is counting on to make as strong run. Despite the names on the back of the jerseys, this has to be done as a unit. The Lakers may stay healthy. And truth be told, age is not on their side.
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