Lakers
The opening of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2023-24 NBA season hasn’t been a mess, but they could’ve scripted something better.
They took a 2-2 record into Wednesday night, struggling at times to exert their dominance at either end of the court. The offense has sputtered more than the defense, but neither has been great.
So, what are we seeing? Are we finding out the Lakers aren’t among the NBA’s elite, or are there reasons to believe this club could still make something special happen? Let’s get a better grasp on this situation by firing off a trio of early season hot takes and determining whether they’re overreactions or not.
Austin Reaves Is Being Exposed
Few players this summer created as much excitement as Austin Reaves, and so far, few have attracted as much attention as they have. There is a plethora of evidence to support the views of those who were already dubious about his purported ascent.
Nothing about his debut has gone as expected. His 33.3/25/72.7 slash line is utterly unimpressive, his 2.3 turnovers have almost completely negated his 2.5 assists, and his 10 points per game hardly seem to indicate that he’s ready to be this team’s third star.
Verdict: Overreaction
In an attempt to have Reaves dominate the first four games of the season, the Lakers declined to offer him the maximum four-year, $53.8 million contract this summer. They placed their bets on his skill and long-term potential, which impressed Team USA as well, as they awarded him a roster slot and a rotational role for the FIBA World Cup.
Like last season, he’ll be alright, perhaps much better than alright. Even if he played a bit above his head in the final stretch (17.6 points and 5.5 assists following the All-Star break), he still has room to improve even if he regresses from that performance.
Anthony Davis Is Ready to Take the Baton
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Before this season even started, LeBron James knew it was time—or past the time—to hand over the reins to Anthony Davis. Even a basketball cyborg like James can only do so much in his age-39 season, plus when Davis plays at a superstar level, the Lakers are effectively unbeatable. So, James did what he could to speak a baton-passing into existence.
“He is the face [of the franchise],” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin in early October. “You look at all these [retired] numbers that surround this facility, all the greats that have come here and AD is one of them.”
Davis has so far lived up to the label. Through his first four games, he was averaging 25.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.8 blocks.
Verdict: Not an overreaction
Look, it’s too early to say for certain whether Davis has finally unlocked the secret to staying healthy or being consistently dominant. But the early signs are entirely encouraging.
He is dominating on defense and leading the offensive charge. Even his outside shot looks razor-sharp (albeit on a tiny sample). If you wanted to see Davis take the lead for the Lakers, this is the kind of start you were hoping to get.
D’Angelo Russell Has Silenced His Doubters
After the season, there were serious doubts about whether D’Angelo Russell should sign a new contract with the Lakers or even move him back into the starting lineup. With a two-year contract and his waiving his implicit no-trade provision, even Los Angeles somewhat hedged its commitment to him.
However, the Lakers have not only restored Russell’s starting position, but they have also given him the second-most minutes played per game thus far. And he has more than paid them for it, combining for 17.5 points and a team-high 7.3 assists.
Verdict: Overreaction
Russell has surely quieted his skeptics, but it’s unlikely to think everyone is done questioning his fit on this roster. He’s still more of a scorer than a true table-setter, and he isn’t the most efficient point-producer you’ll find. He also isn’t someone you can count on for lockdown defense.
Given his hot start and a quiet one for Gabe Vincent, there hasn’t been any sort of in-season position battle, but it’s still possible one takes shape over the course of this campaign. If Vincent proves he can be a consistent outside shooter, he might still emerge as the best fit given his superior defense and the fact he doesn’t need touches to make an impact.
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