The Los Angeles Lakers have miraculously made it to the postseason. Every NBA fan saw how terrible start they had to the season. After the initial 12 games, the Lakers were 2-10. That’s how bad the chances looked back then for the team. But the front office brought in some essential changes on the roster right before the February trade deadline. Ans surprisingly, it worked miracles for the team. The Lakers found much-needed balance, and every player chipped in to help the team move forward.
Meanwhile, there were a lot of dramas at the end of the regular season. The Lakers looked very close to a top-six finish. But it was not meant to be. Hence, they had to finish as the seventh seed. But the team was confident enough to turn things around. If a team is balanced and optimistic about rising up, then anything is possible. Now, the Lakers are in a good position against the defending champions in the playoff semis. They are just a win away from sealing the series. Will the Los Angeles Lakers achieve that target? Will the Purple & the Gold Army reach the finals? What are the chances?
Lakers Have A Good Chance Of Winning The 2022-23 Season
The Lakers have reached the second round of the playoffs at present. Currently, they are leading the second-round series 3-2 against the Golden State Warriors. On their way to Round 2, the Lakers defeated the second seed of the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers will reach the Conference Final if they win the series against the Warriors. Meanwhile, in the conference final, the Lakers will face either the top-seed Nuggets or the Suns. Currently, the Nuggets are in the same position as the Lakers in the playoff semis. Denver leads 3-2 against Phoenix at present. Both the Nuggets and the Suns have displayed weaknesses. Moreover, these two teams have never won a championship. On the contrary, the Lakers have won 17 times. The Phoenix Suns have a couple of problems involving the groin injury of Chris Paul and a lack of depth on their roster.
However, the Nuggets have not been able to take advantage of the lead. Hence, the Lakers have a good chance of beating either of the two inexperienced sides. Furthermore, the Bucks are out of the Eastern Conference after facing defeat at the hands of the Heat. They were the top seed of the East. Hence, the chances are the LA side may face the Heat or the Celtics in NBA Finals. If the Los Angeles side faces the Miami franchise, then it would remind the teams of the 2019-20 finals. As a result, the LA side will have the upper hand as they were the 2020 champions. If they face the Celtics, then it would be the battle for the 18th championship. Who gets to 18 titles first? Hence, the Lakers have a great chance to win the current season.
Difference Between Cavaliers In 2018 And LeBron’s Current Team
It is pretty new territory for LeBron James as he has never been on the opposite side, with his team leading a series 3-2 against the Warriors. During his time with the Cavaliers, it has always been the other way around. The most important difference is that this Lakers team does not solely depend on James in both offense and defense. He had to maintain an average of 34.0 points in 2018 to carry the Cavaliers to the finals.
On the other hand, in the 2022-23 season, King James is averaging 22.6 in the last ten playoff matches. It is because the LA side has got Anthony Davis, who is practically leading the side in offense and defense. Furthermore, the team has got great supporting members like Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Lonnie Walker, and so on. The LA side is way more balanced than the Cavaliers in 2018. Hence, the LA franchise can win the whole thing.