2. Getting efficient play from the “Meme Team”
It’s very easy to poke fun at the post-LeBron signings the Lakers put together this offseason. The oddball bunch of Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and Michael Beasley certainly had plenty of people scratching their heads.
However, I’m in the club that tends to trust Magic Johnson and his decision-making. He hasn’t led the Lakers astray thus far, taking them from one of the NBA’s laughingstocks to a legitimate contender in about a year and a half. So let’s give the guy the benefit of the doubt, even if the pieces don’t seem to fit.
Realistically, if the Lakers get even 80 percent of the potential possessed by the four aforementioned players, they’ll be in good shape.
Stephenson can be a dangerous, complementary offensive weapon when he plays under control. It’s been years since Rondo was a consistent two-way player, but he’s still an effective facilitator who has shown spurts of the defensive prowess people talk about from time to time. McGee is an underrated asset who can make splashy plays on both ends of the floor. And just look at what Beasley did with the New York Knicks last year — he’s a sneaky-good shooter off the bench.
Playing alongside LeBron demands a certain level of play. It may not seem that way based on the way the Cleveland Cavaliers limped through the 2018 NBA Playoffs, but it’s true. You better believe the King will bring out the best in his teammates this season.
Don’t discount the Lakers and their band of misfits. They may just surprise you, especially once the playoffs roll around.