1. Can the younger talent rise to LeBron’s level of expectations?
The most obvious question happens to the be the one of greatest importance. The Los Angeles Lakers were a talented team with four cornerstone, culture-changing players on their roster … with a combined five years of experience between them. This team was projected to reach consistent contender status in a couple seasons, but the addition of LeBron James changes everything.
The world’s greatest player has reached an unprecedented eight consecutive NBA Finals in the Eastern Conference and has no intentions of slowing down after a phenomenal 2017-18 campaign. He’s brought rosters with lesser talent to the Finals before, but going through the Western Conference with half the rotation being 23 years old or younger is another beast.
LeBron understands this team will take time to jell and is not the final product in his four-year Lakers plan, but his presence alone adds a level of pressure. Lonzo, Ingram, Kuz and Hart are a relaxed crew and are embracing the challenge this offseason, yet the physicality of the NBA Playoffs is something these players have not come close to tasting.
The good news is if those four are overwhelmed by the pressure and expectations, having veterans like Lance Stephenson and Rajon Rondo manning the backcourt is not the worst backup plan. There’s a set plan for the possibility the youth can’t rise to the occasion, and if they can up their games, this team could go much deeper in the postseason than people think.