LeBron James started off his 20th year in the NBA with a defeat against the Golden State Warriors as the Lakers lost 123-109 due a very poor 3-point shooting percentage (25%) from the Purple and Golds.
The way the Lakers played against the Warriors they did not look like a team who are going to dominate the Western Conference. Most fans wanted to see LeBron James back for Year 20 and Anthony Davis also returning but overall as a team they looked very disappointing and were blown out by the reigning champions.
LeBron James addressed the media post game where he touched upon the poor 3-point shooting for the Lakers and also on other aspects. “I think we’re getting great looks, but it could also be teams giving us great looks,” James said. “To be completely honest, we’re not a team constructed of great shooting.”
LeBron James has shared that the current team is not very strong on 3-point shooting and there can be a gameplan of the opponents to give them the open looks as they know many of them won’t go in. However he also shared that if they get great looks they will take their chances. “It’s not like we’re sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team. But that doesn’t deter us from still trying to get great shots. When we get those opportunities, you take them,” Lebron concluded.
Personally it was a good start for LeBron as he finished with a double double, scoring 31 points and getting 14 boards and 8 dimes. However Stephen Curry started where he left off last season as he came up with the game high of 33 points and helped his team to a strong win to start the season. Anthony Davis also returned after a major injury concern and he looked decent at center role with 27 points and six rebounds.
The Lakers lacks proper shooters and hence they had such a poor percentage from the 3-point range against the Warriors. With this kind of performance, the Lakers aren’t going anywhere this season. The fans are already getting an idea that this team may miss the playoffs yet again. However everything depends on the front office and their capability to trade Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis needs to step up big time to support LeBron James and only then they can make it to the postseason from the West.
The Lakers will next face the city rivals Los Angeles Clippers and it will be a very exciting clash with Kawhi Leonard returning to action along with Paul George and the new addition of John Wall. The Clippers are definitely a team to watch this season and it will be interesting to see how the Lakers react to their early setback.
