Early injuries are the one thing that can easily derail the Los Angeles Lakers’ season.
On paper, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most talented teams in the league. And with the complexities that are facing the Brooklyn Nets before the season even begins, an argument could be made that the stage is set for the Lakers to be the safe favorites to win the championship begin the year.
Although, if there’s one sure thing that could derail the season for Los Angeles it’s injuries. And, specifically, those that occur early in the season.
During the offseason, after losing in the first round of last year’s playoffs to the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers did a great job of retooling. Headlined by acquiring Russell Westbrook, the Lakers added much-needed depth to their roster and possibly nine new rotation players.
For a team that had that much turnover, the early games during the regular season are going to be essential – especially if they plan on holding out LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the majority of the preseason.
One factor that is not under LA’s control that could go a long way in derailing the team’s season is injuries that take place early in the season.
The reason why injuries taking place early in the season can have such a big impact on this team is due to their unfamiliarity with playing with each other. Especially for a team that underwent that much turnover during the offseason.
The training camp practices, preseason, and first half of the regular season are vital to a team as it attempts to gain chemistry. The latter portion of the season is finding a stride and building momentum heading into the postseason.
It’s hard to do that when key players are filing in and out of the rotation due to injury and there are minutes restrictions all throughout the roster.
And, unfortunately, the Lakers have already suffered one. Trevor Ariza underwent ankle surgery and will be out for approximately two months. Ariza was in the conversation to be the starting 4 next to Anthony Davis, but now the Lakers will have to adjust on the fly.
The good news is that there’s still time for Los Angeles to adjust with preseason. The bad news is that Ariza is going to lose valuable time with this team. The hope is that he won’t miss much of the regular season but there’s no guarantee that Ariza, now, ever plays the role for the Lakers that the team hoped when he was signed.
There’s a good chance that Injuries become the only thing that can derail LA’s season of redemption. And the Lakers are not off to a good start from that standpoint.