Through the first 15 games of the NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers stand at 8-7, which doesn’t seem like anything to panic about.
In theory, it isn’t. But the Lakers really should bet better than an 8-7 record. The reason for the seventh best record in the league; the absence of LeBron James, whose been out for the last couple of weeks with an abdomen injury. The last time LeBron suited up was back on November 2 in a win vs the Houston Rockets.
Since the injury and his absence, the Lakers are 3-3, which again, isn’t a time to push the panic button, but again the Lakers should be better. After all, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook are still on the court. So is Carmelo Anthony, who has been looking like the All Star we saw with the New York Knicks.
But there is good news for the Lakers, as LeBron could be back for Friday night’s game vs the Boston Celtics
The Lakers have a five-game road trip starting off with the Milwaukee Bucks, a game that won’t be easy. But against the Celtics, who are struggling and don’t seem to have that same chemistry, it’s a winnable game without LeBron.
But with LeBron, plus having a returning Talen Horton-Tucker, and suddenly, the Lakers look like a team that could start to win some games.
The Lakers have just been treading water, and with the return of LeBron coming soon, it’s at a time where they need him the most. He makes the Lakers go.
Without LeBron, and the Lakers are barely a .500 team. With him, they are a championship contender. That’s what the Lakers need.
