(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
After the NBA trade deadline, the new-look Los Angeles Lakers appeared to be firing on all cylinders, with Anthony Davis returning to form and additions like D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt making an impact.
Although the team ended up being without superstar forward LeBron James for 13 games due to a foot injury, the Lakers went 8-5 and looked to be building some much-needed chemistry.
Unfortunately, despite finally reaching .500 on the season, the return of James didn’t go so well, with the team getting crushed by the visiting Chicago Bulls.
This has led to some, like NBA Insider Ric Bucher, debating about whether James returning is ultimately a good thing.
.@RicBucher: I think LeBron’s return is ultimately going to hurt the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/b5tWPscW0O
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) March 28, 2023
Initially, saying that the Lakers are better off without arguably one of the greatest players of all time is ludicrous, but Bucher does have a point.
The Lakers did play with a sense of desperation and togetherness in James’ absence.
The talk of James’ injury just appeared to be more of a distraction than something that derailed the season, as one would expect losing such a prominent player.
Austin Reaves came into his own as he took more of a distributor role, while Davis didn’t have to do everything on the floor to keep the team competitive.
Eventually, the Lakers will be better off with James than without, as things will ultimately slide back into place.
But the fact that they did have some success without the four-time NBA champion was telling and something that might become more of a conversation in the offseason if they can’t make the playoffs with him or end up falling short early in the postseason.
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