Waste and frustration. This is how we might qualify the season on the Violines & Or side. While the season had started very well, the Lakers suffered a big setback around February with the injury of Anthony Davis then that of LeBron James. Then follows a slow and disturbing descent in the standings. The Lakers can’t do it without their duo. Worse, the players titled in 2020 are transparent (Caldwell-Pope, Morris, Kuzma) and the recruits signed with great fanfare in the summer (Schroder, Harrell) do not have the expected impact. Everyone plays for themselves and to serve their own interests. Frank Vogel has lost his mojo and the Lakers no longer play with what made them strong when they won the title: defense. The other teams at the top of the standings are doing well and to make matters worse, Portland and Dallas, two teams that have been driving for a long time, are finding their way back. Result, the Lakers find themselves 7th and have to go through the terrible play-in to the chagrin of LeBron James. After beating the Warriors, Los Angeles find themselves in the playoffs but must face one of the surprises of this regular season: the Phoenix Suns. The beginning of the series is hooked but what we feared on the side of LA arrives: Anthony Davis is injured. Back in a hurry at the end of the season, Davis’s physique does not hold up. Overwhelmed by the collective and the loose game of the Suns, the defending champion is out 4 – 2 and leaves the playoffs with immense regrets.
- off-season moves
Arrives : Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Joel Ayayi, Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook.
Dparts : Kostas Antetokounmpo, Devontae Cacok, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso, Jared Dudley, Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, Isaiah Jackson, Damian Jones, Kyle Kuzma, Wesley Matthews, Alfonzo McKinnie, Ben McLemore, Markieff Morris, Dennis Schroder.
Arrival: Joel Ayayi, Wayne Ellington, Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn, Austin Reaves, Rajon Rondo, Russell Westbrook.
Wingers: Carmelon Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Talen Horton-Tucker, LeBron James.
Pivots : Anthony Davis, DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard.
PG : Russell Westbrook – SG : Wayne Ellington – SF : LeBron James – PF : Trevor Ariza – C : Anthony Davis
Frank Vogel will be able to count on a first-choice Big Three for next season. Now it remains to know how to surround LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis in order to fully exploit their offensive potential while relieving them of defensive tasks as much as possible. For this, Vogel might decide to align Wayne Ellington and Trevor Ariza on the floor. Both veterans are duty players, ready to sacrifice themselves for the team every night. In addition to their defense, they will be able to bring this famous spacing, sought following by all coaches today. A spacing that would allow LeBron James or Anthony Davis to be able to shine fully. Be careful, however, since even before the season begins, Trevor Ariza accumulates small physical glitches. This might lead Frank Vogel and his staff to reconsider Carmelo Anthony’s place in the starting lineup. Nothing is carved in stone either, and players like Kent Bazemore or Talen Horton-Tucker might get their starting spot later this season. Last possible option, shift Anthony Davis to position 4 and align DeAndre Jordan at the start of the meeting at the pivot position.
With the departure of Alex Caruso to Chicago, Talen Horton-Tucker risks seeing his responsibilities grow. Coming off the bench, the little prodigy will have to show that his progression curve is still only in its infancy. Rajon Rondo made his return to the team, as did Dwight Howard. The two men, titled in 2020 with the Lakers, already know the house and the methods of Frank Vogel, they should be able to perform quickly and thus bring certainty to the second unit. Kendrick Nunn had shown great things on the Miami side, now that he has obtained a multi-year contract with LA, he will have to be sharp in attack and effective in defense, even if it is not his strong point. Carmelo Anthony should be able to bring his jump shot, his three-point address and his game intelligence to the low post. The all-star winger will be the primary attacking option off the bench and should be able to feast on Vogel’s system. It will also pay attention to the performance of Malik Monk, who had shown great things on the side of Charlotte. Kent Bazemore should also bring this famous spacing with his more than satisfactory long distance address this past season (41%).
- player to follow: anthony davis
Last year was complicated for Anthony Davis. After having started well, the interior of the Lakers saw his physique betray him once once more, mortgaging at the same time the dreams of double for the Lakers. The arrival of Russell Westbrook should allow LeBron James to be able to avoid certain obligations, but Davis must take advantage of the space offered to him by the front office. Exit Harrell, Morris, and other Kuzma. There is only him in the racket. He must become the master play of these Lakers. LeBron James is at the twilight of his career, and little by little the transfer of power must be done. Davis must work on his physique and must no longer hide. In recent years, he has often been criticized for straying too far from the basket. Yes, he is capable of doing it, but he must not fall into caricature. Davis is a dominant pivot who needs to get closer to the circle. This year must be his.
– Un Big Three quilibr. With the arrival of Russell Westbrook, the Lakers finally have their starting point guard capable of being a real threat every night. With a LeBron James on the wing and an Anthony Davis inside, teams will have to face this new three-headed monster and with the quality and talent of the three men, it will not be a cakewalk for the opposing defenses.
– Veterans who know their place. With the returns of Rajon Rondo, Trevor Ariza and Dwight Howard who already know the house, but also the arrival of Wayne Ellington, the front office has brought back duty players who know their place and their role. There should therefore be no unpleasant locker room atmosphere as was the case with the soul states of Kyle Kuzma or Montrezl Harrell last season.
– Promising young players. Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn, Talen Horton-Tucker or even our French Jol Ayayi will have to tear themselves away to prove that they have their place in this organization. All of them have qualities that will allow Frank Vogel to work on different systems around this Big Three.
– Carmelo Anthony. We can say what we want but despite his age, Carmelo Anthony remains a formidable player. Formidable in attack, the former player of Denver, New York or Portland will be able to render great services to the Lakers. A time opposed to the idea of coming off the bench, Anthony has radically changed his state of mind since his time at Portland. Ready to help the team, according to him, Carmelo Anthony will mainly spearhead the attack in the first rotation. He will relieve LeBron James perfectly during his moments of rest and above all he will fill this lack of scoring from the second unit which was often lacking in the Lakers last season.
– A healthier group. Strange as it may seem, the 2020-2021 Lakers seemed like a stronger, more talented group. The departures of Danny Green, Dwight Howard, Javale McGee and Rondo had not really been compensated. Or at least poorly compensated. Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell never really fit in. As a result, the team never gave the impression of pulling in the same direction. For this 2021-2022 season, Rob Pelinka has tried to intelligently recruit players who do not necessarily need the ball (Ellington, Ariza, Monk), duty players. That’s why this group seems more balanced, in my opinion, than last season.
– The departure of Kyle Kuzma. At last.
– The age of the Lakers. This is one of the concerns that came up the most in the media day: “Aren’t these Lakers too old?”. Yet the average age of Frank Vogel’s team seems correct (30 years). The concern as long as the oldest elements, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo or even Trevor Ariza are also the most important elements. This is the main concern and the main question that Frank Vogel and his staff will have to settle. How to save your players without sacrificing victories. This is where young players are going to have to take responsibility.
For the second year in a row, the Lakers have decided to turn everything upside down in the offseason. After winning the title in 2020, the Lakers decided to bet on the total renewal of the workforce. Without success. Rob Pelinka decided to do the same in the summer of 2021 but in a smarter way. The workforce seems better built to surround the Big Three Davis – James – Westbrook. The arrival of Russell Westbrook will also allow this Lakers team to take another step forward and the regular season should go more smoothly than the previous year. Other teams like Utah and Phoenix will struggle to keep up with last season’s level, which should allow the Lakers to play the leading roles in the Western Conference. Frank Vogel’s men might go for the head of the Conference if ever the physical glitches leave the players alone, Anthony Davis in the lead. In writing, we do not see the Lakers finishing outside the TOP 3 of the Conference at the end of the regular season. For the playoffs, it’s another story, but this Los Angeles Lakers team will clearly be a candidate for the title.
55 wins – 27 losses
