The Los Angeles Lakers sent a strong message to the Brooklyn Nets.
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis out of the lineup heading into Saturday’s night match-up against a Brooklyn Nets, many assumed that the Los Angeles Lakers were going to take a loss against one of the biggest competitors that could possibly stand the way of them and a second consecutive NBA championship.
Even though the Nets were going to be without James Harden, Kevin Durant was back and now in the starting lineup once again for a big tilt against the defending champs. However, instead of the Nets having their way with the Lakers, the opposite ensued.
The Lakers sent a strong message to the Nets, beating the Eastern Conference contenders by 25 points almost at the same time it was reported that Anthony Davis was 10-14 days away from returning and that LeBron James was not far behind in his rehab.
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In short, the Lakers are coming. And on the national television stage, they didn’t want anyone to forget who the defending champs were.
Let’s not get it twisted. This is a good win for the Lakers. And, for the most part, the team has done a well enough job without LeBron and AD in the lineup to stay somewhat afloat in the Western Conference standings.
That said, if the Lakers are going to complete the back-to-back and win a second consecutive championship this season, they’re going to need a healthy LeBron and AD. In fact, they’re going to everyone on the roster healthy.
It’s long been said – and proven – that winning the second championship is oftentimes more difficult than winning the first. The Lakers will need all hands on deck to get through the difficult Western Conference and then to beat whichever team comes out of the Eastern Conference.
The Lakers and Nets officially split the season series against one another and won’t meet again until possibly the NBA Finals, if both teams can get there.
At least for one night, however, the Los Angeles Lakers reminded the Brooklyn Nets (and the rest of the league) who the defending champs are. And, soon enough, they’ll be back at full strength. Likely, just in time for the playoffs.