The Lose Angeles Lakers ended the first half of their season with an ugly loss to one of the worst teams in the league, the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta has promising young talent in Trae Young, who is having an impressive rookie season. Even though Young has demonstrated flashes of brilliance, he plays very much like a rookie. Now, the Lakers are a group of bright young talent, talent that has been trade bait for the New Orleans Pelicans super star, Anthony Davis.
Their worth has been shown in the trade packages they have all been in. The Lakers see them as the best of the best in terms of what they can offer. Kyle Kuzma, in my opinion, is the best of the young core. Followed by Lonzo Ball who is at the moment injured. However, when he has played the Lakers have been significantly better on both sides of the ball, defensively and offensively. Kyle has been demonstrating pure animal instincts on offensive. Averaging 19 points per game in his sophomore season, he is a great complimentary piece to LeBron James.
Brandon Ingram is a delayed version of Kyle Kuzma, yet still very productive. Kyle began putting up numbers that were expected of Brandon his rookie year. Averaging 17 points a game and playing above average defense, Ingram is another key piece.
But what does this mean? It means that LeBron and crew must work together and see the things on the same page. Trade rumors have hurt the chemistry of the team. The Los Angeles Lakers are sitting at the 10th seed in the west currently. LeBron James has not missed the playoffs since his second year in the league, in 2005. This Lakers team must put aside the business aspect of the game and pull forward, or come April they will be watching from their couches.
Prediction: Lakers will make a late playoff push and finish 46-36, going 18-7 in their last 25 games. Seeding: 7th.
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