Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers were ousted by the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets in a series that elicited exasperation from Lakers star big man Anthony Davis. Nikola Jokic, a hero for the Nuggets, dominated the Lakers with more than 30 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists per game.
It is anticipated that the Lakers’ 2023-2024 season will commence amid considerable anticipation. Among the significant offseason transactions were the re-entries of Jarred Vanderbilt, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell.Christian Wood, a gifted power forward with exceptional shooting range, Jalen Hood-Schifino, an athletic rookie from Indiana, and Gabe Vincent, a crucial former Miami Heat postseason contributor, are all offseason additions.LeBron James recently lauded the recent professional championship of another team.
Additionally, the Lakers have just completed a crucial roster transaction that has received little attention.Improvements to the Lakers’ Defense in 2023-2024The Lakers ranked among the top ten offensive teams in the National Basketball Association during the previous season. This was due to the sustained stardom of James, the dominance of Davis both inside and outside the arc, and the elevated play of Reaves and other supporting cast members.This season, the Lakers, who finished sixth in the NBA in scoring, have the potential to significantly enhance that position.Last season, the Celtics, Hawks, Warriors, Kings, and Thunder finished ahead of Darvin Ham’s Lakers in terms of offense.
Given the abundance of youthful talent ripe for potential career years in 2023-2024, it is reasonable for Lakers supporters to anticipate an offensive improvement this year.Late in games, the question for Lakers supporters is who will attempt the game-winning shot.Late in games, James is not as dangerous with the ball in his hands as he was when he was at his peak with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, despite his demonstrated propensity to do so.
Reaves also possesses the scoring potential and late-game prowess necessary to take significant attempts. James has demonstrated his readiness to place critical trust in Reaves, and Reaves has fulfilled that trust.Whether or not Reaves experiences a slump as a sophomore this season is condition-dependent, given that he will be presented with more challenging shots by opposing teams as the postseason approach.However, Davis possesses the necessary skills to dominate in the clutch. Western Conference opponents will have improved big man talent in the form of Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, which will require the former Kentucky star to enhance his play this season.
It could very well inspire him to perform at his highest level throughout the season, in anticipation of a rematch with the Denver champions in the late stages of the season.The Lakers Defense Requires Significant Improvement.Last season, the Lakers ranked twenty-twentieth in the NBA in terms of defense. The team of Ham conceded close to 117 points.Those statistics were distorted due to the team’s significant improvement after the trade deadline and thereafter. However, it remains to be seen whether this Lakers defense can develop into an elite unit, particularly considering that James appears to have lost a half-step in foot speed and no longer appears to make as many impactful defensive plays as he once did.
The Lakers have the ability to develop into a high-caliber defensive unit if players such as Davis, James, Reaves, Vanderbilt, Hachimura, and others dedicate themselves to the defensive end of the court.Failing that, it could readily transform into their fatal weakness, impeding their progress toward an unprecedented 18 NBA titles by the upcoming summer.