Coming off a rather disappointing season last year, the Los Angeles Lakers have a lot to make up for in the 2022-2023 season. The once called title contenders are now a team that are looking at the play-in and need to get out of that area before LeBron James does himself. The three main things Lakers fans should look at as season approaches are:
- Health
- Russell Westbrook
- Darvin Ham
Health: Saying health was the only problem season would be a lie, but saying it was the main problem wouldn’t be untrue. The Lakers best two players LeBron and Anthony Davis both played less than 60 games last year out of the 82 and the big three of them two and Westbrook only played 21 games last year. So them getting that run time will be essential in their success.
Russell Westbrook: Like him or not, Westbrook was the one player the Lakers could count on to play only miss four out of the 82 games they had last year. He however does need to improve if he wants the team to have any chance of making the playoffs. My solution: Come off the bench and become the second unit. This would give Westbrook the chance to finally be the player he has always been and thrive.
Darvin Ham: The new head coach Ham has some big problems to address this season and needs to be prepared to make the tough decision. LeBron has always had coaches that play to his style, but will this be the first time a coach challenges him to switch it up? Will Ham get the courage to bench Westbrook? What rotations does he have in mind to bring the Lakers back to success? These are just a few of the many problems that he will have to give an answer to as the season progresses.
I predict that the Lakers will be a likely a team in the play-in with about 42-45 wins, but if everything can go well, they could easily re-enter championship contention as they have two of the best players in the game.
Comments by Landon Thomas