LeBron James is not one to hand out praise and a good comment lightly. However, this is a different season. He is playing in an NBA-record 23rd year, and for the first time in his career, he missed opening night. Battling sciatica for the first few weeks of the season, James got a rare chance to watch how the team played without him, and it seems he loves what he sees. In the latest episode of his podcast, Mind the Game, LeBron talked about the additions the Los Angeles Lakers made during the offseason.
The LeBron James Comment That Has Lakers Fans Fired Up
The Lakers spent the offseason retooling the roster around Luka Dončić and James. They added defensive-minded players to support Luka and a center who could serve as his pick-and-roll partner. The results have been impressive through the first two months. The Lakers are tied for the second spot in the Western Conference with the Denver Nuggets at 13–4, and they have advanced to the knockout phase of the NBA Cup. Speaking about the new additions, James said,
“What I love is what Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart have brought to the team. Another level of toughness, another level of playmaking. You know, the other night, Marcus had seven steals in a game. DA’s been dominant on the glass and very efficient offensively. I am just proud of what the team has been doing, man. And being able to watch from afar, it’s just great. I think we have something really good going and it’s going to be a long season.”
There is no denying that the Lakers have surpassed expectations early in the season. Yes, last year they finished third in the Western Conference. But this season, they are on pace to win 60 games. Whether that actually happens remains to be seen. Some experts might look at their offensive and defensive ratings and argue that they do not look like a contender. But Luka has been spectacular, and he makes the difference in close games. Right now, the Lakers are ninth in offensive rating and 16th in defensive rating. That usually signals a mediocre team, but Dončić changes everything.
The New Guys Finding Their Role
When the Lakers signed Ayton, many people were skeptical. Would he be willing to set screens and roll hard to the rim? Well, those questions have been answered early. While he is still not a rim protector, Ayton is averaging 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds on a remarkable 69.6% shooting from the floor. The Lakers haven’t had such an efficient big man in years. Anthony Davis, for example, has never come close to that percentage.
Marcus Smart was brought in to help with the defensive side of the ball. So far, so good. He averages close to two steals per game, and while he cannot guard elite quick point guards for an entire night, he gives the Lakers another strong defender to throw at players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The shooting needs improvement, but that may come as the season progresses.
LaRavia has been the most pleasant surprise of all the new additions. After spending the second half of last season in purgatory in Sacramento, he is showing he can be a valuable role player. This year, he is averaging nearly 10 points per game on efficient 48.8% shooting from the floor and 34.6% from three. More importantly, he has become a hustle player unafraid to do the dirty work. LaRavia averages 1.4 steals per game, adding an element the Lakers did not have last season.
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