Many NBA teams are playing at a high level this season.
This season has been very competitive as both conferences are showcasing a great level of basketball that’s been a delight for fans.
The reason behind all of the hard play for a shot at dethroning LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers as champions.
That’s much easier said than done.
This season, the Lakers have been dominant as expected but the fact that they’re yet to reach their full potential makes things scary for the their rivals.
As of the moment, the best basketball team in Los Angeles is second in the Western Conference with a record of 20-6, just behind Utah’s 20-5 record.
The Lakers are currently on a six-game winning streak, five of which only had eight-point victory margin and their last three wins came in overtime.
Their most recent win came after going into battle against Oklahoma City, where the Lakers saw James put up a big game with 25 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Now, why did I say that they’re yet to be at their “perfect form” despite their already impressive run?
Well, simply because at this stage, only James has been putting up his usual numbers.
The King from Akron is averaging 25.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.1 steals in 49.5% shooting from the field and 39.4% shooting from the three-point line and has played all 26 games this season.
The second-best player on the team, Davis has only played 21 games and is only averaging 22.3 points in 53.0% shooting from the field with 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks.
Last season he put up a stat line of 26.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals. He’s only averaging a little less from his numbers a year ago and yet we’re only at the early stage of the season.
Newly acquired Dennis Schröder is on the same boat as well as he’s only averaging 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Last season, he was putting up 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists. Montrezl Harrell is averaging 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds in 64.9% shooting from the field. Last season he was averaging 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds.
All of their core players are yet to play at their maximum levels and yet they’re 13th in points (113.1 ppg), eighth in rebounding (45.7 rpg), 13th in assists (25.0 apg) and the best defensive team in the league with a 104.5 defensive rating.
Almost every team has been having a great start this season but the Lakers are still charging up and it’s possible that we are yet to see their very best. That’s got to have the other contenders worried.
Do you think the Lakers can go back-to-back? Sound off in the comment section!
