Los Angeles Lakers: Toughest 5-game stretch in 2017-18
Back-to-back with past champions
The first two games see the Lakers go head-to-head with the winners of the last three NBA titles, Cleveland and Golden State. Wherever these teams ended up on the schedule would be must-see games, but the fact they’re playing consecutively is going to make for a lot of consistent hype leading up to early December.
The main talking point around all of these games lies with the trip to Cleveland and the potential of LeBron leaving his hometown team for the Lakers this offseason. I’m not one to speculate and will refrain from discussing it until we finish this season, but there’s no doubt pundits will have plenty to questions to ask LeBron, whose done little to silence said rumors.
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My favorite aspect of this Lakers-Cavaliers game will be comparing the styles of how LeBron and Lonzo Ball control each team’s offense. Lonzo and LeBron enjoy getting teammates involved and are two of the best passers in the league (yes, Lonzo is at that level). Watching them zip passes across court will be a treat.
Not to be outdone are the defending champs who have somehow improved off of last season’s 67-win team by adding Nick Young, Omri Casspi and Jordan Bell to the mix. I’d like to see a Brandon Ingram–Julius Randle frontcourt pairing when the Warriors go to their death lineup with Draymond Green at the 5.
Ingram vs. Durant brings us two players that were compared to each other because of their slender frames and smooth games, though Durant was a much better prospect coming out of college. Ingram should study Durant’s game and how he utilizes his length to get his shot any time he pleases.
Lonzo vs. Stephen Curry isn’t too bad of a point guard matchup either. This figures to be an up-and-down game with these two guards on the court.