LeBron James will be 39 years old in the upcoming 2023-24 season.
NBA basketball games will return on October 24th. We count down the days like seconds on a timepiece—literally that’s what we’re doing. As of October 1, our writers will have listed 24 storylines for the 2023-24 NBA season.
New storylines will be dropped every day.This is second:
As LeBron James enters his 20th NBA season, he and the Lakers cannot be underestimated.
Because: Despite a lackluster start, they made it to the Western Conference Finals last season.
And: all of James’ bribery to “Father Time” is clearly at play.
let‘We’re keeping the context here: Lakers‘The favorites for the 2024 NBA championship are well within reach, let alone reaching the NBA Finals, let alone returning to the Western Conference Finals. But based on basketball common sense and an examination of the roster, they should be in the mix.It would be a surprise if they didn’t.
let‘We’ll leave it at that for context, part two: James and Anthony Davis must stay healthy. Uh, yes.
If we say‘In this case, the Lakers are built to last. Hats off to Rob Pelinka, who has been the busiest and perhaps best executive in the league from last February’s trade deadline until now. Since then, the Lakers have added Rui Hachimura, D‘Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Jalen Hood Schifino and minus… Russell Westbrook. All of the above players are rotation players, ranging from good to good enough.
It was also during this time that Austin Reeves became a sparkling core player in the playoffs, then got paid and then made the U.S. team for the FIBA World Cup.‘Not three stars but they‘Went to get 2 1/2.
But, back to James and Davis. LeBron was 38 years old last season and averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game.‘Will the decline in 2039 be so large? Probably not. (us‘However, we wouldn’t bet on 40 years. ) In addition, Davis showed his strength on both ends of the court in the playoffs… When healthy.them together‘They are one of the top duos in the league.jeroes‘We are surrounded by reliable free players.
This is LeBron’s last chance to win a fifth championship. Now: Will the Basketball Gods be as benevolent as Father Time?
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Sean Powell has been covering the NBA for more than 25 years.You can email him here , find his profile and follow him here Twitter.
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