Coming into the season, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a lot of questions about their roster and how everything would come together. Now, 13 games in, the Lakers seem to be doing just fine. Luka Doncic is in win-now mode, and it shows in every game.
“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.
While LeBron James is out, Austin Reaves has been stepping up in a big way. With Reaves likely opting out of his contract this summer, he has made it clear he wants to return to LA.
“I try not to think about it. Honestly. I've said it a million times. I want to be in L.A. I love it," Reaves told ESPN. "Even though the other extension was turned down, that doesn't mean that I'm trying to go get a f---ing gigantic number that don't make sense. I want to be here, I want to win.”
On Friday, after the Lakers beat the New Orleans Pelicans, James Worthy highlighted what LA is missing from James right now.
“One thing LeBron brings is that push. Luka, he'll fast break, but he's under control. He's always in 2nd or 3rd gear. LeBron will push it, and that's what they're missing a little bit is that flow and that pace of putting the pressure on the defense,” Worthy said.
James knows exactly when to push the ball—and when not to. For now, it seems like everything the Lakers are doing is at a slower pace, and there hasn’t been much uptick yet.
The season still has a long way to go. James is almost back, so that may change in a couple of weeks. This is the longest absence to start a season in James’ career, making it interesting to see how his play style will look when he returns.