There’s no reason for the Los Angeles Lakers to press the panic button this early.
Seriously, they’re in a good situation, and they will turn things around.
It won’t be like the Lakers era with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, and Steve Nash.
Team WIN. @Lakers pic.twitter.com/v809qYGj4Z
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) October 25, 2021
Yes, they’re old enough (no pun intended) to know that there’s a bigger prize that they all strive to achieve.
While they are all great individually, they are still learning to play as a team.
Once they get on the same page, the rest of the league better be ready.
Like A Dream Team Vibe
What’s happening with the current Lakers is comparable to how the Dream Team started.
While they were undeniably the most outstanding collection of talent then and now, the players came in with their respective egos.
They’re not about to relinquish their status as one of the game’s greatest to their contemporaries.
There’s no denying that LeBron James remains the heart and soul of the Lakers.
LeBron James begins his 19th NBA season when the Lakers host the Warriors on Tuesday night.
Though still playing at a high level, LeBron's scoring average and minutes have slightly declined each of his three seasons in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/Pl97Yc36Lp
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2021
But the confrontation between Howard and Anthony Davis is like when David Robinson and Patrick Ewing were battling hard during those scrimmages for the Barcelona Olympics.
Don’t forget that athletes are the fiercest competitors on the planet.
In their minds, they deserve more minutes over the other.
But they’ve settled the conflict and will work toward the common goal.
Dwight Howard and Anthony Davis are actually bringing the Twitter fight we saw all day about the two of them in regards to the #NBA75 list to life.pic.twitter.com/6Vi48miw4t
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) October 23, 2021
It’s not the first time that tensions escalated for the purple and gold.
Kobe and Shaq had their arguments while James has called out teammates who were not giving their best.
Once problems arise, their experience will help them address the situation.
The Lakers Are Fighting But Losing
It’s not that they lost by huge margins.
The Lakers lost their first two games by an average of 8.5 points.
They lost to the Golden State Warriors while Russell Westbrook struggled.
The former league MVP bounced back against the Phoenix Suns but had no answer for Chris Paul.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook all have 2 fouls in the first quarter of Lakers-Suns… pic.twitter.com/6pstaaMB9I
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) October 23, 2021
While they were in contention for all three games they’ve played, their victory over the Memphis Grizzlies wasn’t impressive either.
The Lakers might be 0-3 if not for Ja Morant’s missed free throw that sealed the win.
Sure, offseason practices will help them familiarize themselves with each others’ spots and tendencies on the floor.
But it’s the emotions and the pressure of actual games that will solidify the Lakers.
Great way to end the weekend 🤙@carmeloanthony: 28 pts, 6-8 3PT@AntDavis23: 22 pts, 8 reb@KingJames: 19 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast@russwest44: 13 pts, 7 reb, 13 ast pic.twitter.com/2IgeButBTo
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 25, 2021
Likewise, the team almost revamped the entire roster with James, Davis, and Talen Horton-Tucker as holdovers from last season.
Therefore, they’re still cooking their chemistry.
After all, this superstar-laden team must sacrifice a piece of their game to achieve team success.
The Lakers Will Play At A Higher Gear
Los Angeles can make a push for wins over their next six games.
They play the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, the Oklahoma City Thunder twice, and the Houston Rockets twice.
Sweeping those games puts them at 7-2 before entering a tough stretch against Portland, Charlotte, and Miami.
These next games should help the Lakers build momentum and gain confidence.
Goodnight, Laker Nation 👋 pic.twitter.com/QPKbu3nOQi
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 25, 2021
Lakers fans, relax because your team is doing well.
These veterans will hold each other accountable for their effort, or the lack thereof.
Don’t worry because it only gets better after getting their first win this season.
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