Mike Waters-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers are off to an interesting start to the season. They were 3-3 but were nearly outplayed in the first quarter, struggled with defensive rebounds and turnovers, and had nearly every player injured except LeBron James or Anthony Davis. Well, this is a surprising twist.
The team starring James did not get off to a hot start to the season. Instead, he has long been known for coasting through the regular season, only to flip the switch when the game matters most. However, the Lakers still expose some glaring flaws that need to be addressed quickly.
The Lakers have reminded James of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers through six games, and despite obvious flaws in their roster construction, they are currently 5-3 and second in the division. Spectrum Sports Network:
“We’re like the Pittsburgh Steelers right now. The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t outgunned or outscored any of their opponents (in the first half) this season yet, but they have a winning record… I think I’m Mike Tomlin’s lucky charm, because every time I play against them, I’m winning. “
The Steelers have led just two half-games in eight games so far this season but have won five of them. They also haven’t outgained their opponent in total yards in any game this season. But despite this, they continue to find ways to win.
The Lakers’ performance early in the season has been similar. Despite losing many of the battles they would normally need to win, they found a way to win. Hopefully, many of these issues are due to serious injuries that have plagued the team’s depth, including Rui Hachimura, Jared Vanderbilt, Taurean Prince and Gabe Vincent.
Sooner or later, the Lakers will want to move away from the James-Steelers comparisons as the Lakers look to compete for a championship this season and the Steelers are unlikely to come close to that conversation.
Hamm provides multiple injury updates
Lakers head coach Davin Hamm spoke about the team’s many injured players and gave an update on all of their status. Hachimura and Prince will likely return sooner, he said, while Vanderbilt is in a later-than-earlier situation. Jalen Hood-Schifino is also out for at least a few weeks.
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