After In-Season Success, Are the Lakers Favorites in the West Over the Nuggets?

The NBA has captured the imagination of basketball fans for decades. It is simply the pinnacle of basketball, with the best players and strategic minds plying their trade in the league. The Western Conference is the living symbol of the NBA’s competitive and captivating landscape. Over the past few decades, the Conference has played host to intense rivalries and exceptional teams, and this season continues to uphold that legacy. Title contenders like the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors, all compete in the Western Conference.

The Denver Nuggets have clearly been the standout team in the conference over the past year. Their title win last season further cemented them as the team to beat. However, after securing the In-Season tournament championship, the Los Angeles Lakers are poised to challenge the Denver Nuggets for the status of title favorites. Any team that consists of the likes of Anthony Davis and LeBron James is in with a shout for the title. But, could AD and LeBron’s individual brilliance alone lead the Lakers to the promised land?

Are the Lakers favorites for the title?

The Los Angeles Lakers put on a dominant showing, as they dismantled a young and promising Pacers team. Both Anthony Davis and LeBron delivered stellar performances. AD delivered a Shaq-like performance, as he recorded 41 points and 20 rebounds. LeBron and Austin Reaves also put up valuable contributions, as Reaves recorded 28 points and LeBron added another 24 points. Throughout the tournament, the Lakers displayed a level of dominance expected from a title contender. En route to their NBA Cup triumph, the Lakers went undefeated, as they won all seven of their tournament games.

However, despite their In-Season tournament triumph, the Lakers roster still possesses glaring weaknesses. A major concern plaguing the Lakers is their lackluster performance in three-point shooting. In an era where successful shooting from beyond the arc is crucial for any team eyeing a championship, the Lakers are the 4th worst in 3-point efficiency.

Another reason the Nuggets might be ahead of the Lakers in the pecking order for the title is that the current Lakers roster isn’t a whole lot different from last season. The Lakers performed admirably last year, as they reached the Western Conference finals. However, it became a one-sided affair, as Denver swept the Lakers in the series. Although the Lakers have been dominant in the NBA Cup, there are still some teams ahead of them as the title favorites.

Problem areas that the Los Angeles Lakers must address

LA have had a solid start to the 2023-24 season. They currently occupy the 5th spot in the Western Conference standings, with 14 wins and 9 defeats. Currently, they are one of the most in-form teams in the NBA. In fact, the Lakers have won three games on the bounce. However, upon closer examination, cracks begin to appear. Under coach Darwin Ham, the Lakers’ offense has looked stagnant, devoid of any inspiration. Despite LeBron’s incredible basketball IQ and playmaking skill, the Lakers are one of the worst offensive teams in the league. They have recorded an offensive rating of 112, which is the 8th worst in the NBA.

Health is another major concern for the Lakers. Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt have all missed significant portions of the season through injuries. Historically, Anthony Davis has grappled with recurring injuries, placing a considerable burden on LeBron. Despite his advancing age, LeBron has frequently shouldered the Lakers’ responsibilities single-handedly.

However, their most problematic area remains their shooting, especially, 3-point shooting. The Los Angeles Lakers’ offensive struggles are evident in their statistics, attempting only 86 field goals per game, marking the lowest in the league. Their 3-point performance is equally subpar, ranking 30th with 9.8 made 3-pointers per game. Additionally, their 3-point attempt rate of just 29 per game places them second-worst in the NBA. The team must promptly find a solution for their 3-point shooting slump. Furthermore, they have to compete in a formidable Western Conference.

Fiercely competitive Western conference

This season, the level of competition is incredibly fierce in the Western Conference. The quality of teams in the conference is simply mind-boggling. Teams such as the Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Suns, and Warriors are all competing for just 8 playoff spots. On top of that, emerging teams like the Mavericks, Kings, and OKC Thunder have all impressed. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been the biggest surprise of the season. They are currently perched at the top of the conference standings, with 17 wins and 4 losses.

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Securing an NBA title becomes a more challenging task for the Los Angeles Lakers, given the competitiveness of the Western Conference. Winning the NBA title requires taking on the best sides, and the Lakers have clearly demonstrated this capability with their recent success in the NBA Cup.

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What do you think of the Los Angeles Lakers championship campaign so far this season? Do you think they stand a chance at taking the crown home this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!