The Los Angeles Lakers’ journey since their 2020 NBA championship has been a narrative of almost-but-not-quite.
Regardless of their star energy, they’ve discovered themselves caught within the seventh seed for 3 of the final 4 seasons, forcing them by means of the play-in event gauntlet simply to safe a playoff spot.
Even now, with the present season in full swing, the Lakers stay outdoors the Western Convention’s prime 5.
Lakers icon Magic Johnson not too long ago weighed in on what his former group wants throughout an look on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
His message was clear: the Lakers want one other dependable scorer to really compete within the loaded Western Convention.
“We need one more player if you’re going to contend in the West, you got to have at least three guys,” Johnson defined. “Because look at look at Phoenix, look at Denver. I mean, all these teams, the Mavericks, they got two or three guys that can get it done and get you 25 points a night.”
He didn’t cease there, emphasizing the group’s scoring gaps.
“We don’t have that. And so we need another guy that can get us 20 points on a consistent basis, and then we can go down on the other end and defend.”
“We [Lakers] need one more player if you’re going to contend in the West”
Lakers legend Magic Johnson shares with @TermineRadio and @JumpShot8 what he believes LA must compete for a title. pic.twitter.com/9jNZ5SSOX5
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) December 19, 2024
The Western Convention has lengthy been the NBA’s tougher battleground, and this season proves no totally different.
Whereas the Japanese Convention boasts its share of powerhouses, the West’s aggressive nature is clear within the mere two-game separation between the sixth and twelfth spots – a decent race the place the Lakers discover themselves proper within the thick of issues.
Trying on the standings, it’s onerous to argue with Magic’s evaluation. The groups above Los Angeles are stacked with a number of scoring threats.
Whereas LeBron James and Anthony Davis type a formidable duo, the Lakers’ success would possibly hinge on discovering that essential third possibility.
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