Los Angeles Lakers
You might not have known it, but it was the Summer of LeBron.
AD’s on da way
Space Jam 2
Tacoooooo Tueeeeeessssssdayyyy!!!!!!
For the first time since he was 20 years old, LeBron actually got to enjoy a full summer. The Chosen One is now 34 as he enters the 17th year of his historic career.
A lot of people view LeBron’s first season in LA as an epic failure. Not us.
LeBron’s career averages per game: 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists
LABron’s 2018-19 season averages: 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists
On offense, LeBron was better than his career average marks while carrying the baby Lakers on his 33-year-old King-sized back. When LeBron was in there, he was great (on offense). The main problem was the groin injury on Christmas day that occurred during the Lakers 26-point beat down of the Warriors at Oracle. That’s right. The Lakers kicked the Warriors’ ass. The reigning back-to-back Champs. In Oracle. On Christmas! At the time, that win moved the 4th place Lakers to just 2.5 games behind the 1st place Warriors.
But the first major injury of LeBron’s career caused him to miss the next 17 games. When he finally returned to action on January 31st, the Lakers had dropped to 9th place and were 10.5 games behind the 1st place Warriors. Things had changed.
Even worse, the Anthony Davis trade request heard ‘round the world destroyed the locker room and team atmosphere. The young players’ confidence was completely shattered. Perhaps even worse than that was Pelicans GM Dell Demps refusal to make the deal which ultimately (and finally) cost Demps his job.
Then Lonzo got hurt. Then Brandon Ingram’s “sore right shoulder” was discovered to be a blood clot that required surgery. And don’t forget that this wasn’t a great roster to begin with. They were literally called the Meme Team. LeBron joined the Lakers. The Lakers! The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t made the playoffs in 7 years.
It all added up to a lost first season in LA for LeBron. Then Magic quit while talking to the media and then Luke Walton was fired.
But now AD’s on da way.
The Lakers could not afford to waste any more time. Father time waits for no man. (Although LeBron and Tom Brady are seriously pushing the limits.)
It was a hefty price but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
It’s year 17 for King James and Anthony Davis will now be the best player in his golden prime that LeBron has ever played with. Most importantly, The Brow brings a stout versatile defensive presence to the table. LeBron has taken a step back on the defensive side of the ball the last couple of years, required to exert all of his energy for doing everything on offense. The Brow is one of the best defensive players in the league and he can carry a full workload on offense. For the first time since Miami, LeBron has a shining star to help lighten the burden, which will further allow LeBron to lengthen his already legendary basketballin’ career. It’s all about longevity, baby.
LeBron will be out for vengeance, proving he can hang in the superior Western Conference. AD will be out for vengeance, too, restoring his name with his game.
LA, a city fit for The King and The Brow.
The Lake Show is back!
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The rest of the roster:
The lone remaining baby Laker, Kyle Kuzma’s three-point shooting and defensive performance will be exceedingly important. Kuzma begins the season dealing with a foot injury and has already been ruled out of Opening Night vs. the Clippers.
Danny (3-and-D-anny) Green is a perfect complementary piece, yet he’s the only substantial free agent left after DeMarcus Cousins tore his ACL this summer. The Boogie news still makes us very sad. :/
There is more shooting here than last year, though. Troy Daniels can catch-and-shoot. Jared Dudley is a vet’s VET. Avery Bradley showed in Memphis that he might not be as washed as his Clippers tenure indicated. Quinn Cook was sometimes a spark for the Dubs.
Rondo is back. He’s played with AD before. They swept Portland in the 1st round of the 2017-18 playoffs.
Also back: JaVale McGee and Alex Caruso a.k.a. Big Daddy Wookie and the Bald Mamba.
Dwight is here for his last gasp on a non-guaranteed deal. Some people see it as a bad omen after his first stint with the Lakers was such a shit show. We see it as a possible grand story of redemption. And holy shit, Dwight looked good in the preseason!
League Pass Notes
The LeBron-AD pick-and-rolls are about to be soo glorious.
LeBron’s been power dunking his entire career, hammer after hammer. AD is the one and only Unibrow power dunker. Javale McGee can still get some in. Alex Caruso had that one put-back power dunk that shocked the hell out of LeBron!
The organ at Staples Center makes us feel at home. Defense!
There were several games last season where the Lakers had a chance to win the fans at the game free tacos by keeping the opposing team under 100 points scored. The Lakers blew it, several times, in the final minute. The boos rained down. Lakers fans, and LeBron, are very serious about their tacos.
The Final Question / The Final Take
What day does the season start on?
TACOOOOOO TUESSSSSSSSDAYYYYY!!!!!! OVER 50.5 wins.