The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the biggest franchises in all major sports, building one of the most heartfelt fan bases all across the globe ever since the dawn of the National Basketball Association.
Winners of 16 titles and with players of the likes of Elgin Baylor, George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers have now added LeBron James to the never-ending list of Hall of Famers that are thrilled and honored to be dressed in purple and gold.
So, now that the King has landed and their young studs seem ready to compete, there’s a lot of expectations regarding what this team may or may not be capable of accomplishing this season. Today, we’ll discuss all of the possibilities.
5. Miss Playoffs – 10%
There’s a slight chance the Los Angeles Lakers won’t make the playoffs. Could you just imagine the playoffs without LeBron James? That would be one of the oddest and most bizarre things we could think of.
Still, let’s not forget about the fact that teams of the likes of the Nuggets, Pelicans and Timberwolves are likely to go head to head to try and snub a playoff spot in the West, the toughest of Conferences.
4. Lose 1st or 2nd Round – 50%
Looking at their roster and their rivals’ roster, this one would be by far the most likely scenario for this renewed Los Angeles Lakers team, especially if they wind up being the 7th or 8th seed and have to face the Rockets or Warriors.
Even amid LeBron’s arrival, this team is going to have to make a lot of adjustments and look like they still need another proven star in order to get past the first couple of rounds of the playoffs.
3. Lose Western Conference Finals – 30%
If they manage to get past the first couple of rounds, it means that they managed to avoid either the Warriors or the Rockets, and would have to face the toughest of competitions in the Western Conference Finals.
Truth to be told, it would be really difficult for them to match up against the Golden State Warriors, so, barring a disaster, this may be as good as it gets for Coach Walton and his young boys.
2. Lose NBA Finals – 7%
If anybody can take any team to the NBA Finals, that’s LeBron James, and he’s managed to do it with way less talent next to him than what he has with the Lakers, even though he’s always done it in the soft Eastern Conference.
Still, if he manages to pull this off again, it would mean he’s made it to 10 straight NBA Finals, something that would definitely put his name even higher when we talk about the all-time greats rankings. But… at this moment, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia Sixers and Toronto Raptors are better than Los Angeles Lakers and they can beat the LA in the NBA Finals.
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1. Win NBA Finals – 3%
Moreover, LeBron has never fared well in the Finals, at least when it comes to winning them. If he makes it to the ultimate stage, he’s likely bound to face either the young and fierce Sixers, or his longtime rivals, the Boston Celtics.
Having the chance to beat Kyrie Irving in the Finals would definitely be a plus for James, but both the Celtics, Sixers and even the Toronto Raptors are more suited for Championship contention.
