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The LA Lakers are all set to play the Golden State Warriors on the opening night of the 2021-22 NBA regular season. Showtime is coming off of a humiliating 0-6 loss record from pregames. With a roster full of fresh players, it is understandable that the Los Angeles team will need time to adjust.
However, six games is a decent number of games for any team to figure out which lineups perform well with the players at hand. Frank Vogel failed to figure out potential lineups and gameplans and the LA Lakers were defeated by the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets and Warriors.
With an average regular season and a disappointing playoffs season behind them, LeBron and Co have assembled a squad that is, although formidable on paper, but has an average age of 30+ years. In fact, only five of the 16 players on the roster are in their 20s, of which Anthony Davis will turn 29 by March. This may prove to be an issue for a team that has claimed time and again to be in the process of creating championship contenders.
As they prepare to clash with the team they defeated in the play-in tournament to reserve a birth for the playoffs, there are three essential questions Vogel and the LA Lakers must figure out the answers to.
#3 How will the LA Lakers contain Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is not a "put a double team on him and forget about it" player. He is a punisher of teams that leave him even a tiny bit unguarded. After a sensational 2020-21 regular season where Curry led the league in points scored and three-pointers made, he has used the preseason to let the league know that he is out for blood and the LA Lakers may very well be his first victim.
The LA squad has brilliant offensive weaponry, has sensational rim defenders and has found a decent three-point depth, but it still lacks a defender capable of stopping a versatile beyond-the-arc shooter like Steph.
Some may argue that Anthony Davis holds the potential to stop the Warriors' live and active nuke. But if we look at the last six games the two have played against each other, Curry has averaged 32 points per game. If the LA Lakers need to find a winning chance against GSW, it is imperative that they decipher a means to contain the maestro from the Bay Area.
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#2 How will Frank Vogel deploy his ranged shooters
When the LA Lakers signed Russell Westbrook, one major concern that haunted the team's fans was the lack of shooting depth available on the team's roster. However, the front office, Vogel and LeBron James have found a few players that may be able to fill this void.
Wayne Ellington is undoubtedly the best downtown shooter on the LA Lakers squad. By converting 2.5 of his 6 attempts per game in 2020-21, he managed to maintain a 42.2% success rate from beyond the three-point line. Kendrick Nunn, Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony are almost at the same level from beyond-the-arc, with each managing more or less two three-pointers per game in 2020-21.
However, the issue lies in finding ways to properly rotate these four players with the likes of LBJ, Russ and AD comprising the main attacking force. Vogel was unable to properly use Kyle Kuzma for the past few seasons despite Kuzma being a decent three-point shooter.
The LA Lakers' head coach will need to deploy his ranged shooter appropriately to face off against the Golden State Warriors on October 19th. For James, Anthony Davis and Westbrook to have ample opportunity to attack the paint, their squad will need to create an impactful threat from downtown to stretch the Warriors defense and that will only be possible with the efficient usage of Melo, Monk, Nunn and Elington.
#3 Who will control LA Lakers' offensive reigns
The LA Lakers now have two of the best playmakers in the league in Brodie and King James. Of course this translates to better feeding and scoring options but it also paves the way for a power struggle inside the team.
Both LeBron and Westbrook have played as primary ball handlers on their teams over the past few seasons and are habitual of commanding the game and setting the offense. With them being in the same squad, the question of who carries on as the primary playmaker in the upcoming game against the Warriors is raised.
We believe Vogel understands that even though Westbrook is an exceptional feeder and registers double digit dimes regularly, LeBron is obviously a better playmaker.
He will let James take on the LA Lakers' offensive reign during the game on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Westbrook will be given more scoring and rebounding responsibilities and used as the primary handler only when James is not on the court.
Guess the Lakers players!
