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NBA: What Each Western Conference Team Needs For Christmas

By Ryan Magdziarz

Nov 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and guard Nick Young (0) celebrate during a NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Suns 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and guard Nick Young (0) celebrate during a NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Suns 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Lakers

Wishlist: A Rim Protector 

Here is another one of those teams that looks to have a very promising future. They have young pieces in all the right places, a young coach that can relate to their guys, and some veterans that can teach the young guys along they way. The main thing the Lakers need is time. Time for D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram to grow together. Time for Julius Randle to keep improving his all around game at the PF position. Larry Nance Jr. has came out of nowhere to be an above the rim rebounder and finisher.

With Jordan Clarkson, Loo Will, and Swaggy P sprinkled in to knock down threes, one position stands out and could maybe use some improvement. LA is dead-last in the league in blocks per game.

We’re getting the Lakers a rim protector for Christmas! But not just any rim protector. Yes, the Lakers have Timofey Mozgov and paid a lot of money to get him, but he is not even leading the team in blocks. He is 9th on the team in minutes played, which means he is not even in the game much to change shots at the rim which doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.

This center needs to fit the style the Lakers play. He needs to be able to run the floor and keep up with their fast pace. The Lakers are third in the league in points per game, but this won’t be the focus of their new guy. A poor mans Rudy Gobert, or a homeless mans Tristan Thompson would definitely help with defense in the paint as well as being able to keep up with the run & gun style.


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