Who remembers all the preseason talk about the Los Angeles Lakers potentially starting slow after a shortened offseason?
In an onminous sign for the rest of the league, the Lakers are cruising at a league best 11-3, seemingly without getting out of second gear.
Against the New Orleans Pelicans the Lakers used a balanced attack with six different players in double-digit scoring, led by James with 21 points and 11 assists.
Through 14 games the Lakers hold the fourth ranked offence, first ranked offence and the best net rating league wide, and they've done so without over utilising their two superstars.
Never lose sight of LeBron James 🔨
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 16, 2021
(📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/jq6ABkzour
Anthony Davis (31.9 minutes per game) and LeBron James (31.8) sit 63rd and 65th respectively for minutes per game across the league, getting plenty of rest while the re-tooled Lakers second unit get to work.
“My body’s ready to play whatever I need to play over the course of the game," James told reporters postgame. "I go hard when I’m out there and I start my treatment after the game. So, I wish I could bank time.”
In adding Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell, the Lakers have unleashed a potent offensive weapon they lacked during their championship run of 2020, with the duo combining to average 27.8 points per game.
That’s Tuff 🔥💯 pic.twitter.com/R0acOAPZ2m
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 16, 2021
Surrounding James and Davis with greater weapons has resulted in a dynamic offence averaging 115.4 points per game on a scorching 39.6 percent shooting from deep. Once a thorn in the Lakers side, the outside barrage has been spurred by a career-best 39 percent mark for Davis, while James' 38 percent clip from deep is his best since the 2012-13 season.
Put simply, the Lakers appear to have plenty left in the tank as they bank wins in a tough Western Conference.
The 112-95 win over New Orleans served as a nice tune-up for the Lakers, who will see Steph Curry and the Warriors next, before travelling to Milwaukee to meet Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
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