NBA 2018/19: 5 reasons why the Lakers could dominate the playoffs

The last NBA off-season was busy with rumours swirling around one man, LeBron James. The question everyone was asking was, “Where would LeBron go?".

And as predicted by many, he ended up in the most prestigious and the ever-hyped, Los Angeles Lakers, who themselves were in search of recognition and success ever since the retirement of the great Kobe Bryant. This was a marriage made in heaven!

But with questions lingering on how LeBron could stop the Stephen Curry led- Golden State juggernaut, which just won three out of the last four finals and swept past LeBron’s Cavaliers a month earlier. The question still remained on how the Lakers would build a team around the best player in the world.

The team as expected struggled early into the season with a record of 2-6 and were written off by many. Since then, the Lakers have improved drastically and are in a strong position to make the playoffs and are considered by many as major contenders.

Here's an insight into their strengths and how the Lakers can use them to strive effectively in their tryst for the Championship:

#1 Defense

McGee's skill set has been detrimental to the Lakers form

Defensive short-comings were the main reason why Cleveland Cavaliers struggled against the Warriors last season. And as Colin Cowherd pointed out in his podcast, you just cannot beat Warriors at their own game.

The Cavaliers just built their team with shooters around LeBron and with the likes of Jr Smith, Rodney Hood, Kyle Korver all miserably failing, LeBron was left with nothing but a wooden spoon.

This is where the Lakers have acted smartly. They added former Warriors veteran center, JaVale McGee to their roster, who is already leading the charts in blocks this season. The Lakers are not a heavy possession dependent side.

Their main strength is the fast counter and they lead the charts in break out points. They are also retaining the possession at quick intervals with defensive guards like Rondo and Ball, whose steals have been invaluable.

#2 Shooting

Ingram has complemented LeBron James quite well in the Lakers' team

The one skill set where no team can beat the Warriors is their 3 point shooting. Their team consists of one of the greatest shooters of all time and a shooting guard who can take off at any situation of the game at will in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson respectively.

But the Lakers have a better shooting squad compared to Cavaliers. Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma and Lance Stephenson are all shooting close to 40% this season from the arc and in Brandon Ingram, they possess one of the best mid-range shooters.

If these youngsters can prove their mettle and create opportunities at crucial times, the Lakers should not have any major worries.

#3 Play-Making

Rondo and Ball have undertaken the play-making duties for the Lakers

The one thing we are familiar with LeBron is that he needs the ball. He becomes the chief play-maker for any team that he plays in. He had a primary scorer at every stage of his career in the form of Chris Bosh at Miami and Kevin Love at Cleveland.

But now in this Lakers team, he was touted to be the primary scorer hence the play-making responsibility was handed over to the new signing Rajon Rondo, who is one of the top assists makers in the league over the last decade.

But Rondo’s injury in mid-October was a blessing in disguise as it saw the coming of the most talked rookie since LeBron himself in form of Lonzo Ball, who is a terrific playmaker at his age and also a reliable scorer.

He can also make some big-time plays with crucial steals. So, playmaking should never really be a concern for the Hollywood boys.

#4 Bench Strength

Josh Hart provides ammunition from the bench

One of the most important aspects of any team is the bench rotation in this gruesome schedule of the league. Lakers have a reliable bench with many seasoned campaigners.

Guards: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) and Josh Hart fill the shooting guard position and are efficient shooters from the arc. Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo are more than reliable point guards with a wide range of passing and the occasional shot from the deep.

Forwards: Lebron James, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Lance Stephenson are all effective scorers and Michael Beasley can fill up the numbers when needed.

Centers: JaVale McGee, Tyson Chandler are physical and very good rebounders with the young Svi Mykhailuk and Moritz Wagner being more than able shooters.

#5 LeBron James

Everyone has witnessed the great, LeBron deciding matches single-handedly when he gets going. He can drive, shoot, make plays and almost everything from a chase down block to a buzzer beater. LeBron is the perfect player to have and he could just walk into any team in the world with ease.

He carried the Cavaliers team on his back to the finals last season and as we have seen already this season, with a decent enough support cast this man can take the Lakers all the way if he is fit and healthy come this May.