It has not been the dream start the Lakers hoped for this season. After winning the 2020 NBA championship, it looked as if things were finally turning around for 17x champions.
It took the Lakers ten years to win another championship, with the current rate they are playing at, it seems like it could be another decade before they win championship No. 18.
Shortly after their disappointing 2021 season, the Lakers went out and acquired Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, Carmelo Anthony, Kent Bazemore, Dwight Howard, and Wayne Ellington during the off-season.
After the Laker’s busy off-season, they were the betting favorites to win the Western Conference.
Although the Lakers have been plagued with injuries this season, it still shouldn’t be an excuse considering the number of superstars they are surrounded with other teams having to deal with injuries as well.
They have been out of form this entire season, currently sitting ninth in the western conference and a lot needs to happen if they have any chance of making the playoffs.
The Lakers have struggled both offensively and defensively averaging 109.3 points per game and allowing 112.3 points per game.
For the Lakers to improve and have a shot at making the playoffs, they must get rid of some deadwood, there has to be a game plan change and a different approach in each game.
In order for the Lakers to move forward, they have to come to the realization that their off-season pickups weren’t as good as they thought they would be which would mean, players being traded.
Westbrook hasn’t quite lived up to his expectations with the Lakers this season giving the ball over many times and averaging his lowest points per game since his rookie year.
There have been shout’s that Westbrook needs to be traded because he is not delivering that spark the Laker’s need. His defense and cold shootings have certainly contributed to the team’s struggles.
The age of the Lakers is a worrying factor and it is only a matter of time before retirement starts to knock on the doors of the players. Currently, Carmelo is the oldest player on the roster at 37 seven months older than Lebron.
At 37 years old, Lebron is having one of his best seasons putting up MVP numbers which says a lot about the team. There has been too much reliance on Lebron, he is not getting any younger.
What the Lakers need to do is have a full squad rebuild because it can only get worse from here.
If the Lakers are to make the playoffs, they must make the sacrifice of letting players like Westbrook, Howard, Carmelo and bring in some younger guys who can move the ball and help out on both sides of the court.
The regular season is almost over and what needs to happen with the Lakers is they need to find a way how they can move the ball with the players they have.
A rotation of the players in the starting lineup is definitely in need to be able to compete with other teams.
