Los Angeles Lakers improved for 2019-20, but are they a title contender?
Predictions
There are major warning flags for this Los Angeles Lakers team, including one-way players who will have significant roles. The players this team values the most are all three power forwards, making it nearly impossible to play heavy minutes with all three together. Who in this backcourt defends the Splash Brothers?
Yet it is hard to side against LeBron James finding success. Last year was a career anomaly; is it the mark of a decline or simply a bad season? The same could be said for Anthony Davis, who allowed his public trade request to affect his game on the court.
This is a good team, but I hesitate to say they are great. James could prove me wrong and I hope he does, because peak LeBron James is a wonder to behold. They could easily rip off a run and vault into home court advantage.
A crowded contender field dampens the enthusiasm. The Western Conference has seven other playoff locks and four teams all knocking on the door. The Eastern Conference has the Milwaukee Bucks, the Philadelphia 76ers and the defending champions. Father Time is undefeated, and the Golden State Warriors are too when it comes to the Western Conference.
This is the minefield the Lakers have to navigate.
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In the end, they will be a postseason team — but not one hosting a series. Enough stumbles, rest days and chemistry issues rear their heads to knock them down into the middle of the West playoff picture, vulnerable to an early round upset.