It was just one game but was Friday night’s blowout of a Timberwolves team that had eliminated the Lakers in five games in last season’s playoffs a sign of what this team could be without LeBron or just another anomaly?
The daunting challenge after winning a statement game like the Lakers generated Friday night versus the Timberwolves is proving the big win was a legitimate breakout moment and not just another early season blip. James is scheduled to be re-evaluated in mid-November, which means the Lakers will have at least 10 more games and maybe more to show they’ve found the blueprint for winning an NBA championship without LeBron.
The Lakers’ championship blueprint is a relentless downhill juggernaut offense powered by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combined with an elite point-of-attack defense fueled by Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt.
By staggering Doncic and Reaves to keep the offense always sharp and bringing Smart and Vanderbilt’s off the bench to help Reaves win the non-Luka minutes, Redick’s put together a blueprint to win without LeBron.
Besides their pair of star shot and playmakers in Doncic and Reaves and elite point-of-attack defenders in Smart and Vanderbilt, the Lakers key role players Hachimura, Ayton, and LaRavia defended well and made shots.
That sweet combination of elite shooting and tough defense is exactly what Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves need offensively and defensively from their teammates in the starting lineup and coming off the bench every game.
The Lakers need to double down and play hard and smart tonight and show that last night’s league best 137.6 offensive rating and league 4th best +20.6 net rating (#4) are their new championship blueprint and not an anomaly.
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