The Los Angeles Lakers might be the most surprising team in the early NBA season. With each passing week, they’re establishing their bona fides as serious darkhorse championship contenders. LeBron James is guiding the Lakers with his amazing playmaking genius. In doing so, the team has put together a remarkable 20-1 record by the end of November. This performance is capped off with a ridiculous average scoring margin of +15.5, underscoring their complete and utter dominance on the court.
As the team progresses through the season, certain player statistics reveal both strengths and weaknesses that may influence their postseason success. LeBron James, a consensus top-three player in the league, is being assisted on 60% of his two-point field goals and 100% of his three-pointers. Second-year rising star Austin Reaves is finding himself in the limelight. As far as production, he’s putting up career-highs across the board averaging 28.5 points and 6.7 assists all while posting a gaudy true-shooting percentage of 67.3%.
LeBron James: The Cornerstone of the Lakers
Even with all these new additions, LeBron James is still the player, the leader, and the focal point for the Lakers. He’s so crafty at generating offense for himself as well as his teammates. This preservation ability has made all the difference in the team’s success this far. More than 50% of his two-point field goals come off assists. This is a great illustration of how well he involves his teammates to raise the level of overall offensive production for the team.
James’s impact goes far beyond filling up the scorebook. His presence in uniform is a stabilizing force that motivates the whole squad. He’s the man that pilots the Lakers as they seek a rise back to playoff prominence. His supporters always fondly remember his history of leading teams to the NBA Finals. His heart, creativity, commitment and know-how are undeniable assets whose value cannot be overstated.
It’ll be their depth, though, that poses the biggest problem when they inevitably meet other elite contenders in the Western Conference. James continues to dominate on the basketball court. It remains to be seen if the electric team can hold up long-term against opponents with more interior muscle.
Austin Reaves Emerges as an All-NBA Talent
Austin Reaves has turned into one of the best players for the Lakers this year. His progress to becoming a vital cog in the franchise’s team-first offensive machine has coincided with him playing at an All-NBA level. Averaging 28.5 PPG and 6.7 APG, Reaves is continuing to establish himself as a dynamic offensive threat, but as a playmaker on the perimeter.
Reaves’s shooting efficiency is particularly noteworthy. With a true shooting percentage of 67.3%, he’s one of the most efficient elite scorers in the entire league. Reaves is different from most players who rely on assists for their goals. Perhaps the best illustration of his independence is the amount of his shots that he creates himself; just 35.9% of his two-point field goals are assisted. His ability to score off the dribble diversifies the team’s attack and could increase his value even further. It’s a reflection of his growing confidence on the court.
Aside from his newly acquired basket-getting abilities, Reaves’s playmaking acumen is quickly proving to be an invaluable asset. The further he matures, though, the more of an impact he can make to improve the Lakers juggernaut’s state in nail-biting postseason matchups.
Assessing Playoff Readiness
Despite their strong start to the season, analysts remain cautious about the Lakers’ long-term prospects in the playoffs. Although a core of James and Austin Reaves looking extremely dangerous, issues with depth—especially inside—still loom large. It’s a tougher road than what other elite teams in the Western Conference have to travel. The Dallas Mavericks, defending better under Jason Kidd and powered by Luka Doncic, have more bench depth and versatility.
Doncic is downright radiant as one of the league’s top offensive architects. He’s currently averaging 9.4 dimes per game with a clean assist rate of 42.0%. His capacity to both put the ball in the basket and create scoring opportunities for his teammates is a unique threat that opposing defenders face. As teams get ready for playoff matchups, these dynamics will be important storylines and deciding factors in which squads go deeper into the playoffs.
Even with their core trio of Anthony Davis, James, and Reaves, a partnership oozing with potential to raise their game under playoff intensity. This perfect chemistry and immense experience might just become their best friends as they try to work their way past much stiffer competition. If they can leverage their standout performances during the regular season into playoff success, they may find themselves in contention for another championship.
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