- Lakers coach doubles down on the team’s offseason moves
- Ham says “the sky is the limit” for Lakers after new offseason additions
- Lakers still feel confident about title chances for next season
The Los Angeles Lakers showed amazing resolve last season when they climbed to the Western Conference Finals after sitting as low as 14th in the West. Thanks to LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and surprising heroics from Austin Reaves, the Lake Show were able to show up when it counted the most, even if they ran out of gas in the end.
Looking ahead, however, the optimism is strong that they can be even better this upcoming season. In a chat with ESPN, head coach Darvin Ham revealed his expectations for the club and why he feels they have a chance to win against anyone:
“Absolutely [I think we’re close to a championship team]. We have leadership like LeBron James and Anthony Davis; some of the talent we were able to bring back in Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell.”
The Lakers got significantly better after their mid-season acquisitions in February of 2023, but they also made a number of moves this July that added some more depth to the supporting cast.
“Then, you think about the guys we added in Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes. I think the sky is the limit for what we will be able to do,” said Ham. “I think we added a lot of depth, a lot of guys that have skill, size, and athleticism, so I look forward to all of that coming together.”
The West is expected to be as competitive as ever, with the Suns, Warriors, and Clippers all standing in the way of success for the Purple and Gold, but the real fans know by now that it’s never wise to underestimate LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Lakers Are Legitimate Title Contenders In 2024
As usual, health will be key for the Lakers, who are stuck relying on a 38-year-old veteran and an injury-prone big man to stay durable.
Nevertheless, the talent they’ve built around their core might be enough to keep the Lakers afloat despite the inevitable injuries. Guys like Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell will be crucial for them.
Of course, Austin Reaves is another piece of the puzzle. If he can prove last season was not a fluke, and cash in on being the third-best player for this team, it could be all the Lakers need to take that final step as a group.
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