In light of Team USA’s exhibition matches this month, veteran NBA point guard Austin Rivers couldn’t help but notice how good LeBron James and Anthony Davis looked. In fact, according to Rivers, this summer is evidence that the Lakers are still capable of winning a title and competing in the West.
“I’m watchin’ this USA Basketball, right, and I’ve been watchin’ all their games close, and it doesn’t take a trained eye to notice who have been the two best players, the most impactful, on USA Basketball,” Rivers said on X. “Granted, Kevin Durant has not played, so I’ll take that into account, but, so far, the two best players are two Lakers players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, right?
“So, when you start thinkin’ about that, I’m sitting here watching this game, thinking, ‘Why are the Lakers so far away — or why does it feel that way?’ And I guess J.J. Redick is right. They asked him, ‘How far away are you?’ He said, ‘We’re not far. We are a piece or two away from competing.’ Maybe he is the piece. They got the new coach, they got new staff, etc… All I’ve heard this past year is how the door for LeBron James and winning championships in Los Angeles is closed, and the more I watch USA Basketball, I just can’t disagree anymore.”
When you watch USA basketball and realize the two most dynamic players thus far are two Lakers players…you realize they’re not far behind in competing for a chip. That window can’t be closed considering I’m watching them be the best on the BEST team in the world…🤷♂️ thoughts? pic.twitter.com/PMWb3rDowm
— Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) July 22, 2024
Team USA is competing in their latest Olympic tournament this summer, and LeBron James, along with Anthony Davis, has been the star attraction. They’ve dominated the competition and have stepped up as the two best players on the roster. It remains to be seen if the impressive play from the Lakers duo will get Team USA the gold, but there is no question that it has people rethinking the Lakers’ title chances.
Rivers, 31, is an 11-year NBA veteran and served as point guard for various teams across the league. While he never served time with the Lakers, Rivers did get a glimpse into their lifestyle during his stint with the Clippers from 2014-2018. He knows more than most the pressure that comes with being a Laker and the constant expectation to win games no matter the circumstances.
In recent years, the Lakers haven’t looked like a team that prioritizes winning, and before the championship in 2020, they were headed on a downward spiral to disaster. Going into next season, with the Lakers having been bounced in the first round of the playoffs, faith was dwindling that they could have any chance against the juggernauts in the West.
Even at 39 years old, however, LeBron James is keeping the Lakers relevant and his performance for Team USA this summer is proof that he still has plenty left in the tank. If Anthony Davis can just stay healthy, who is to say the Lakers can’t challenge for a top-six spot in the West?
The thinking is that new head coach JJ Redick and rookies like Dalton Knecht and Bronny James will help give the Lakers the edge they need. While it may work against the mid-level teams, I am not convinced that they can keep up against the best of the best.
Only time will tell how they stack up against the field but, at the very least, LeBron’s presence ensures they cannot be counted out.
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