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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for 2020-21

By Orestis Rantis

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 06: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers speak during a time out in the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 06, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Lakers won 136-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 06: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers speak during a time out in the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 06, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Lakers won 136-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /

3. Montrezl Harrell will be a key player…until the playoffs

Given that Montrezl Harrell has only been in the league for a few years, this is a wild assumption. Over the course of the NBA timeline, there have been a few players that were known for their ability to break under the immense pressure of the playoffs.

Steve Nash, DeMar DeRozan and Blake Griffin are some of the most recent examples of a playoff choke job. Based on the 2020 postseason run that Trez just had, one can safely assume that he may belong in that ballpark.

The reigning 6th Man of the Year had a terrific season as a member of the LA Clippers, averaging 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, come playoff time, these numbers dipped all the way to 10.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

This gets even worse when you add to the mix the teams that Harrell and the Clippers faced before their elimination. Despite being two very good teams, the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets lacked the frontcourt defense to limit most NBA big men.

On the other spectrum of the Lakers’ rotation for the season is Marc Gasol, an experienced veteran and a proven member of the championship team that awarded the first-ever championship to a team outside the U.S., the Toronto Raptors.

Gasol is surely getting up there in age and will enter the 2021 playoffs as a 36-year old without any athleticism. Regardless of that, his defensive prowess and incredibly high basketball IQ have and will always be particularly helpful to any contending roster, especially one that might not be able to rely on Harrell when it matters most.

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