Lakers…You’re in Trouble

“Father time is undefeated”

-Steven A. Smith

A lot of us saw this coming. The Los Angeles Lakers…they’re just not that good. From the outside, or to a casual fan, this might come as quite the shock. They have LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony…how could they NOT be good? There are three main factors as to why the Lakers are most likely heading into the “Play-in” realm of NBA teams (7th-10th seed), their shooting, athleticism, and age. In a nutshell…they’re in trouble.

Staples Center: A House of Bricks

Plain and simple, they can’t shoot. The best shooter on the Los Angeles Lakers is Carmelo Anthony. Personally, he’s one of my favorites of all time and I’ve defended him relentlessly in his older age, so seeing him become a pure sharpshooter at age 37 brings me a lot of joy. That being said…he can’t be the best shooter on a roster if they hope to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in June, especially when LeBron James is right there behind him at number two. Love those guys…but let’s be real here, that’s not going to cut it in the modern NBA. Ever since the splash-brothers bay area dynasty, three-point shooting has become a near-necessity for every team and player across the entire league. We’re in an era where centers and seven-footers have started efficiently launching the three-ball, and the Lakers simply can’t keep up with that level of scoring. Math is simple: 3>2, and when your “star” point guard struggles to hit a mid-range jumper on a nightly basis…you’re in trouble.

Too Slow

Before you jump at my throat, I Know Russell Westbrook and LeBron James are two of the most athletic players to ever hit the hardwood. I’m aware Malik Monk can move, but the rest of their team…not so much. Those three guys are the only ones who can fly past someone one-on-one to the rim, or chase someone down in transition. Everyone else on the team is old and slow. This is yet another reason the Lakers are no match for the modern NBA. Seven footers with the athleticism of a guard is starting to become more common with guys like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, not to mention a handful of others. If your starting shooting guard is getting beat in every footrace by a big man…you’re in trouble.

AARP Should Sponsor Them

It’s no secret…they’re geezers. The Lakers have an average age of 30 years old, and to the untrained eye that may seem old, but in NBA terms it’s astonishingly ancient. There’s no “development” to look forward to for this team because the few youngsters are resorted to two-dimensional bench roles or are banished to the shadowy realms of South Bay to fight in the G-League. So far this year, a lot of these younger teams are starting to finally look comfortable in their own skin as well as playing alongside each other. Teams like the Cavs, Grizzlies, and Hornets are starting to look more legit, with bright futures to look forward to. If you have nothing to look forward to down the line…you’re in trouble.

The Verdict

I’m not saying the Lakers are dead in the water. One thing I learned back in 2018 as a Cavs fan is to never doubt LeBron James…but it looks bad. Very bad. LeBron is old, finally injury prone, and surrounded by sub-average players who can’t string together wins without him. The only other player on the team besides him who’s worth a goose drop is Anthony Davis, but he’s injured more often than LeBron, and Carmelo Anthony is just too old to put a team on his back. It’s sad to see Carmelo finally blossoming in his new role, just to have to carry another poverty roster like he did back in the mid 2010’s. My advice for Lakers fans is to be grateful for the championship you won because I’d be genuinely surprised if the Lakers made it to the post-season, let alone past the first round with this team. LA…you’re in trouble.