It’s never a good idea to completely write off a team from title contention with LeBron James and Luka Doncic on its roster. While questions have been raised about how the two would gel as teammates, Paul George pointed out that the role players would bring in a perfect offensive blend for the Los Angeles Lakers, making them a “nightmare” for the opposition.
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Luka and LeBron will thrive with the ball in their hands. And, PG believes that their evolved understanding of the game will ensure that their off-ball game takes off too.
“I think it’s gonna work on a simple fact that both of those two are high-level IQ players,” George said on Podcast P. He then went onto spell out how LeBron and Luka’s ability to manipulate plays and toy with defenders will spell trouble for the opposing teams.
“They understand spacing, they understand pick-and-rolls, they see plays 2,3 plays ahead.” The 76ers forward seemed glad he’s not in the West anymore, saying, “Good luck in the West, it’s going to be a nightmare playing the Lakers.“
Being a forward/wing, PG knows first hand what it’s like guarding a pick ‘n’ roll that features a brilliant ball handling guard and an aggressive rim-running finisher. So, it wasn’t surprising when he expressed joy upon hearing the Mark Williams trade fell through for the Lakers.
Having spent a considerable amount of time in the West, George knows exactly how potent Luka would be with an athletic center like Williams. “What Luka is so great with playing with is athletic 5s. That’s what unlocks his game and his potential and his ability to get downhill, and put pressure at the rim. It’s gonna be dynamic. God, thank God the Mark Williams sh*t didn’t go through,” added PG.
George’s words may make it seem like the Lakers are locked in to win it all. But the reality is that they have weaknesses to worry about beyond the synergy of their superstars.
What is a realistic ceiling for the new-look Lakers?
The Lakers’ most obvious weakness is their center depth. Losing Anthony Davis was a massive blow, but Jaxson Hayes has filled AD’s offensive void well enough too not warrant DEFCON 1 levels of panic. He’s also had a positive impact defensively. LA lost the one game Hayes didn’t play after the Luka trade.
Alex Len was signed on as a stop-gap option, but his less-than-stellar debut exposed the Lakers’ glaring weaknesses: They do not have competitive big men.
What they do have is remnants of the team they built around James. The 3-and-D guys like Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney Smith are thriving in their bench roles. Rui Hachimura has seen an offensive leap, and Austin Reaves has continued to impress with his consistent numbers.
The more realistic fans will know that the Lakers cannot challenge for the title this season. But the team is uniquely built, poses a massive threat offensively, and isn’t that weak defensively either.
The Lakers do have a deep playoff run in them. But when push comes to shove, and it will, they are likely to crumble in a potential 7-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Denver Nuggets.
