I’ve never seen the LA Lakers as title contenders, pre- or post-Luka trade.
I thought the defense, outside of the recently-departed Anthony Davis, was sketchy. I didn’t think LA had enough shooting to be a real threat. I thought the Lakers still relied too heavily on the 40-year-old, still really good, LeBron James.
Something has flipped for LA recently, though, that might make me eat my words.
The Lakers are 12-3 in their last 15 games. LA in that stretch is 7-0 against current playoff teams. The Lakers on the run have a top 8 offense and a top 6 defense.
Saturday’s blowout win over Denver showed just how good, and scary, LA can be. Luka Doncic looked like himself for the first time since the trade. Lakers head coach JJ Redick and his staff drew up a masterful game plan for the Nuggets, hounding and double-teaming Nikola Jokic all game. Jokic on Saturday tied a season low in field goal attempts (7) and points (12). The all-world Jokic also finished with six turnovers, one off a season high.
Yes, it’s one game, and Denver didn’t do itself any favors with some of its lineup choices. It’s hard for me to see LA stifling Jokic for an entire playoff series, but for one night, the Lakers proved they could scheme a win over the team with the best player in the world.
The current run has propelled the Lakers to fourth in the west, two games behind Denver and Memphis for second. Five games is the difference between fourth and ninth in the west. LA will have to stay on point if it hopes to secure home court in one or more playoff series. The Lakers at some point will need more out of any of the big men on their roster too.
But it looks like LA has found its rhythm and a real group it can go to battle with. The James/Doncic/Austin Reaves/Rui Hachimura core is thriving. Dorian Finney-Smith has given the team great defensive play since coming over in a trade with Brooklyn. Rookie Dalton Knecht has seen his minutes cut drastically, likely because of his lackluster defensive play.
Scoring won’t be a problem for LA — not with Doncic and James on the floor for 48 minutes each night. If the Lakers can continue to play defense as they have over the last month or so, watch out.
NBA Power Rankings
1. Oklahoma City
2. Boston
3. Cleveland
4. Denver
5. LA Lakers
6. New York Knicks
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Memphis Grizzlies
9. Milwaukee Bucks
10. Detroit Pistons
11. Golden State Warriors
12. LA Clippers
13. Houston Rockets
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
15. Dallas Mavericks
16. Orlando Magic
17. Sacramento Kings
18. Miami Heat
19. Phoenix Suns
20. Atlanta Hawks
21. Portland Trail Blazers
22. San Antonio Spurs
23. Brooklyn Nets
24. Toronto Raptors
25. Philadelphia 76ers
26. Chicago Bulls
27. New Orleans Pelicans
28. Utah Jazz
29. Charlotte Hornets
30. Washington Wizards
