3 Reasons why LA Lakers' preseason losses shouldn't worry the franchise

One of the more appealing yet intriguing storylines that has emerged throughout the 2021-22 NBA preseason campaign is the LA Lakers failing to win even a single matchup out of the six they were offered.

The LA Lakers dropped one game each to the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings and two games apiece to the Golden State Warriors & Phoenix Suns. And expectedly so, this was enough for skeptics to rage against the highly talented star-packed roster in Hollywood.

But there's certainly more to it than what meets the eye. The LA Lakers are right up there with the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks when it comes to being legit title contenders, and no amount of regular-season or preseason lapses can dilute the fact that this team is filled to the brim with championship expertise.

The abundance of blockbuster offseason signings created immense hype for the Purple-and-Gold, but the status quo is nowhere near the ceiling. Let's dive deep and understand why these were mere path corrective preseason losses and shouldn't worry the franchise one bit.

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#1 Anthony Davis looks ready to lead the best season of his LA Lakers career.

AD went down with a groin injury last season.

The short turnaround after the Bubble championship run meant that half the LA Lakers' squad battled injuries throughout the past season. Anthony Davis eventually had to sit out the first round of the playoffs due to a groin strain and watched his team fall to the surging Phoenix Suns from the sidelines.

Ever since, he has been working under the radar on his moves and conditioning and looks stronger than ever. His flashy above-the-rim athleticism during unimportant preseason games just cannot be overlooked.

'The Brow' dropped team high scores in two consecutive games for the LA Lakers and commanded the paint with a confidence characteristic of the 8-time All-Star. Despite the losses, the LA Lakers' front office and the fans would be breathing a heavy sigh of relief watching him move like he did on the floor. Moreover, Rajon Rondo is back and so are his pinpoint lob passes to AD.

Anthony Davis averaged over 27.7 ppg and 9.4 rpg during the dreamy 2020 playoff run, and the stage is set for him to shine this year as well.

#2 The newly added youngsters carry championship pedigree and mentality.

Nunn and Monk are bonafide game-winners in their regard.

LA Lakers' marquee forward Anthony Davis still can't wrap his head around the fact that they could land such a lethal scorer in former Hornet Malik Monk. Coupled with Kendrick Nunn, they make for ball-handling skillsets and scoring levels that the LA Lakers haven't enjoyed for a long time.

Both can create their own shot off the dribble and have shot over 38% from downtown in their recent previous seasons. Their handling and ball control make them a consistent drive threat for defenses as they possess the frame and athleticism to finish with contact.

Add the dynamic defense and three-ball of Austin Reaves to the mix, and the LA Lakers have for themselves an exciting spark off the bench for different on-court matchups. Such contributions and confidence will come in handy when players miss time due to injuries down the stretch.

The LA Lakers have at their disposal young stars who can turn the game on its head if the stars are not clocking in, which is exactly what's needed to lead a deep postseason run.

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#3 The chemistry between the LA Lakers vets is apparent and exciting to watch.

The LeBron-Brodie connection just cannot be ignored.

When casuals thought the mid-range was near extinction, players like Carmelo Anthony, LaMarcus Aldridge and Anthony Davis came to the rescue. Although it might sound superfluous, but this is what great players do. They make it work, regardless of the narrative.

Russell Westbrook and LeBron James are both ball-dominating guards, but the preseason showed that they're both willing to make the sacrificial pass to make a better play if possible. The collective goal towards striving for an NBA championship seems to have transcended any personal egos, and has resulted in a fluid chemistry between veterans.

Not only is the LA Lakers' locker room environment conducive to growth and player development, the team and coaching staff are open to making situational changes to the rotations in order to win. Vets like Carmelo Anthony, Wayne Ellington, Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard are all always willing to take a step back and adapt to adjustments.