5 reasons Los Angeles Lakers can still win 2021 NBA championship
By Kristen Wong
The Los Angeles Lakers have what it takes to go all the way this year. Here’s why they will defend their title.
On the off chance that Los Angeles Lakers fans are still celebrating their win from last year, don’t put away the champagne or party kazoos just yet. Despite their recent struggles, the Lakers are still well-positioned to become NBA champions again and could win their 18th Larry O’Brien trophy to finally surpass the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers are currently the seventh seed in the Western Conference, only a few wins shy of the sixth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers. Though the Lakers have lost a lot of ground in recent games this season, they should be able to bounce back by the time playoffs start.
Even after LeBron James’ harsh critique of the play-in format, the Lakers will most likely be vying for a playoff spot through that format before they can make a potential run to the Finals. Most sports betting sites have the Lakers sitting below the Brooklyn Nets, who are the current favorites to win, and many analysts have bemoaned the injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis as potentially crushing the Lakers’ playoffs hopes.
Beyond all the doubters, though, there’s a real chance that Los Angeles can win its 18th championship this year. Title-chasing dreams never come easy, but this Lakers squad has one of the best shots in postseason. Here are the five biggest reasons why.
5. Lakers still have the NBA’s No. 1 defense
Head coach Frank Vogel knows a thing or two about defense, and following last year’s dominant defensive performance in the playoffs, this year shouldn’t be any different. The Lakers are currently tied for first with the Philadelphia 76ers in defensive rating (106.8), force the third-most turnovers (15.3), and allow the second-fewest points per game (106.6).
While big man Anthony Davis has held down the fort in Los Angeles when he was healthy, in his absence, several Lakers players have proven that they can step up in his place. Alex Caruso hustles around his opponents like a hungry pit bull, and Kyle Kuzma has grown to be an effective two-way player who is recording 3.6 defensive rebounds a game. The Lakers know how to get the job done even without their rotational players, as is evident in their win against the Nets a month ago when the LeBron- and Davis-less Lakers relied on sticky defense and prevailed with excellent perimeter shooting.
If defense really does win championships, the Lakers should have their second title in a row secured this year.