After their turnaround last season, it feels like the Los Angeles Lakers are more comfortable.
They have a head coach they believe in and a roster that is well-rounded and deep.
Jovan Buha mentioned that on Twitter, noting that this is the first time in a long time that uncertainty hasn’t hung over the team:
“For the first time in years, there’s no uncertainty with the Lakers’ roster or coaching staff, nor trade rumors hanging over each media availability. Los Angeles is an inner-circle contender coming off a largely drama-free summer.”
For the first time in years, there’s no uncertainty with the Lakers’ roster or coaching staff, nor trade rumors hanging over each media availability. Los Angeles is an inner-circle contender coming off a largely drama-free summer.
On Thursday’s opening press conference and what…
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) September 29, 2023
Whether or not they truly are contenders will be decided within the next few months.
This is a Western Conference that will certainly challenge the Lakers and make their lives hard.
But Buha is right when he says that the roster and coaching staff aren’t plagued by rumors, speculation, and doubt.
What a difference a year makes.
At this point last summer, the team was in a tough spot.
They had missed the playoffs the season before and there was a lot of worry about what was ahead.
The Russell Westbrook experiment wasn’t working, there were fears about the health of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and head coach Darvin Ham was untested.
Fans of the team were very nervous.
And then the season started and things were undeniably bad.
The Lakers racked up a shameful 2-10 record when 2022-23 began and nearly everyone wrote them off.
Of course, they eventually bounced back with a series of impressive trades and leadership from James, Davis, and Ham.
They made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals and ended the season on a high note.
Now everyone is wondering what the team is capable of with more confidence and more time as a cohesive unit.
NEXT:
Magic Johnson Shares His Expectations For Lakers This Season
