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The LA Lakers are off to a rough start following their Opening Night loss to the Golden State Warriors.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons thinks the Lakers are a play-in team at best. Simmons believes that outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the other Lakers players are below average.
On "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Simmons and Kevin O'Connor discussed the Lakers' chances of making the playoffs. O'Connor explained that the Lakers are not better than at least nine teams in the Western Conference, while Simmons questioned their depth.
"I think this is actually the worst three through 10 in the league," Simmon said. "Who has a worst three through 10? Even if you go to the bad teams like OKC, San Antonio, maybe Charlotte. I still might like their three through 10 better."
He continued:
"You could argue every single player three through 10 in the Lakers is below average. ... To me, the Lakers are the 10th best roster no matter how good (Anthony) Davis is."
Who are the LA Lakers' players 3 through 10?
The LA Lakers were easily beaten (123-109) by the Golden State Warriors on Opening Night. James did his thing, putting up 31 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Davis had 27 points and six boards, while Russell Westbrook added 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Outside of the Lakers' "Big 3," only Kendrick Nunn had a productive game. Nunn had 13 points on his debut for the team after missing all of last season. The Lakers' other role players include Patrick Beverley, Lonnie Walker IV, Matt Ryan, Austin Reaves, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Wenyen Gabriel.
Beverley is a good defender, but Walker is coming off his worst shooting season. Ryan and Reaves are second-year players, while Toscano-Anderson and Gabriel have some NBA experience. The Lakers got younger, but they lack firepower from players three to 10, factoring Westbrook's fit with the team.
What has LeBron James said about LA Lakers roster?
The LA Lakers had a poor shooting night against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
The Lakers went 10-for-40 from beyond the arc, and James immediately commented on the team's shooting after the game.
"I think we're getting great looks, but it also could be teams giving us great looks," James said. "To be completely honest, we're not a team that's constructed of great shooting. That's just the truth of the matter. It's not like we're sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team."
He continued:
"But that doesn't deter us from still trying to get great shots, and when you get those opportunities, you take them. But we're not sitting here with a bunch of 40-plus (percent) career 3-point shooting guys."
Some people picked up James' comments about laser shooting and connected that to Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers.
The Lakers have been linked with a trade for Hield, as well as Myles Turner. If they continue their poor start to the season, general manager Rob Pelinka might have to make a trade.
