Lakers’ impressive 3-0 start is no fluke
Lakers Anthony Davis, center, reaches to slap hands with LeBron James, left, and Gabe Vincent mid-game against the Timberwolves on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Los Angeles Lakers’ 3-0 start should not come as a shock to the NBA. Wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings have been driven by standout performances from Anthony Davis, LeBron James and what looks like a perfect fit for new Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
Davis has scored over 30 points in all three wins, joining Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor as the only Lakers to start a season with three consecutive 30-point performances. A prestigious group to be a part of.
This is the Lakers’ first time since 2010 to start the season 3-0 when Hall of Fame head coach Phil Jackson was at the helm in his last season in L.A.
“We’ve been able to hold our own and put the league on notice that we’re a different team,” Davis said about the team’s 3-0 start.
In the first week of the NBA season, Davis earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors—along with Celtics Jayson Tatum—for his averages of 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the week.
Entering his 22nd season, two months removed from turning 40-years-old, James continues to show no regression. In the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 131-127 win over the Kings, James was perfect, going 6-for-6 from the field (3-for-3 from deep) for 16 points to close out a 22-point comeback. James finished the game with a 32-point, 14-rebound, and 10-assist triple-double.
The Lakers’ victories, against top-tier West opponents they could potentially see in the playoffs, have added weight. All three wins were against projected top teams in the Western Conference: the Timberwolves made the playoffs last season, the Suns now have a healthier roster with multiple All-Stars, and the Kings, who entered the matchup on a five-game winning streak, have had the Lakers’ number in recent years.
Redick’s system—emphasizing constant motion, offensive movement, rebounding, and fast breaks—has opened up more opportunities suited to the players on the roster. A system designed to maximize the team’s current strengths, not force a style that doesn’t fit.
Beneficiaries of Redick’s system include the lineup most wanted to see consistently last season: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James, and Davis.
Reaves and Hachimura have both had strong starts, averaging 18 points each. Russell has yet to find his stride, averaging 10 points and shooting a career-low 31% from three.
Russell's cold start isn’t alarming just yet. Known for his streaky shooting, Russell has the ability to get hot in an instant, which could elevate the Lakers’ offense even further once his shots start to fall.
It’s easy to overlook the absence of forwards Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood, but their unavailability has impacted the bench rotation. Vanderbilt is rehabbing foot and heel injuries and is expected to miss the start of the season. Wood underwent knee surgery during training camp and will be re-evaluated in eight weeks.
Vanderbilt’s length and skill as the team’s top on-ball defender—often assigned to the opposing team’s top scorer—has been missed on the defensive end and alongside Davis. Wood’s size to rebound and stretch big threat from three alongside Davis is another missing link in the team’s late-game rotations.
With the absences of those two, L.A. has involved Jaxson Hayes with Davis in a two-big-man lineup, which has worked well thanks to Hayes’ athleticism and ability to catch lobs in pick-and-roll situations. Hayes has also contributed on defense and with rebounding, both of which have been key in the Lakers' strong start.
The Lakers’ 17th overall draft pick, rookie Dalton Knecht, has seen his minutes off the bench gradually increase since opening night. The rookie led the team in bench minutes in the win over the Timberwolves, where he had a career-high 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting from the field.
The Lakers will face a huge test to keep their momentum going with a five-game road trip until Nov. 6, when they’re back home to face the 76ers on Nov. 8.
Upcoming Five-Game Road Trip
Monday, Oct. 28 vs. Suns
Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs. Cavs
Friday, Nov. 1 vs. Raptors
Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Pistons
Wednesday, Nov. 6 vs. Grizzlies
