After finishing 7th in the West last season, nobody considers the Lakers a legitimate title threat right now. But there are still those who believe they can make a run and that the combined efforts of JJ Redick and LeBron James will push them over the top.
“The answer is no, [the Grizzlies] are not a bigger threat than the Lakers,” said Stephen A. Smith on First Take. “I think LeBron [James] is gonna continue to do his thing… I think JJ Redick is gonna surprise a lot of people and how exceptional he’s gonna do as a coach. Here’s the issue with Memphis: Ja Mornt is going to wreak havoc… but I don’t think Memphis has enough.”
With so many good teams in the West, it’s been tough to predict the level of success for all 30 teams in the Conference. This season, with countless variables at play, it’s harder than ever to judge how the Lakers will hold up against the best of the best.
Besides teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Timberwolves, and Thunder, the Lakers will also have to compete with more familiar opponents such as the Suns, Rockets, Warriors, Kings, and Los Angeles Clippers. With Ja Morant back, the Grizzlies will also be in play.
At his best, Ja Morant was an absolute beast for the Grizzlies and he quickly rose the ranks to become one of the game’s elite signature guards. If Ja can just stay out of trouble and focus on winning games, the Grizzlies are in good shape to re-take their spot as an elite team in the West. They will also rely on key contributions from Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
For the Lakers to have any chance of beating them or any other playoff team, they’ll need to play with discipline, patience, and purpose on the court. Every player must buy into the system and commit to working as a team.
At 39-years-old, LeBron James must continue to be the kind of leader and difference-maker he’s been for the past 21 years. As he actively gets to live out his dream of playing with Bronny this season, LeBron will be more motivated than ever to perform at his peak and create the kind of culture that will help enhance everyone’s game.
With JJ Redick, the Lakers will also have the advantage of having a true basketball savant in the locker room. Redick, a basketball nerd, has already committed to some major changes to the game plan. Since he was first hired this past summer, he’s been working hard to come up with a system that caters to everyone’s skills.
So while the roster is largely unchanged from last year, the Lakers are very much a different team going into this season and nobody should be dismissing them from the championship conversation. If they play their cards right and don’t try to rush the process, the Lakers could complete a major redemption arc in 2025 and shock the world with a deep playoff run.
How far they go all depends on LeBron James, and how healthy/strong he is throughout the season. Last time we checked, he was at the top of his game and that’s bad news for the rest of the NBA.
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