LeBron James recently declared that the remaining 23 games of the Lakers’ regular season are the most important of his career. The Lakers returned from a one-week break to face the Golden State Warriors, where they won 124-111, improving their record to 28-32 overall and 3-1 since making multiple deals at the trade deadline. James had his worst offensive game of the season, scoring just 13 points, while Anthony Davis only scored 12 points, and D’Angelo Russell played for just nine minutes. Despite this, the Lakers’ supporting cast stepped up and led them to victory, with six other Lakers scoring in double figures.
The Lakers are now a more balanced team, with a depth of talent that can support their stars when they have an off night. Lakers’ coach Darvin Ham said that the new additions of Russell, Beasley, Vanderbilt, Hachimura, and Bamba give the team more balance and firepower, and the team’s depth, versatility, and firepower make it easier to handle poor performances from their stars. The team is ranked 28th in 3-point makes per game, 24th in 3-point attempts per game, and 26th in 3-point percentage.
However, Malik Beasley’s 3-point shooting ability has added new wrinkles to the Lakers’ offense, and his performance on the court has been a much-welcomed addition to the team. James and Davis are also benefiting from the supporting cast’s performance, as they can log fewer minutes in blowout wins, giving them the chance to rest and shoulder a larger burden later in the season. The Lakers’ supporting cast is now playing at an all-time high, and the vibes around the team are positive, making the team confident that they can make a run towards the playoffs.
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