Los Angeles Lakers: Three things that must happen to win the title
By Jason Reed
2. Lonzo Ball or Kyle Kuzma need to play at an all-star level
Many people are writing off the Los Angeles Lakers this season due to the firepower that other teams in the league have and the conception that the Lakers lack said firepower. While the team certainly does not have two MVPs like the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers will surprise many people with how good they really are this season.
The team obviously has LeBron James, who is going to be First Team All-NBA and Brandon Ingram, who I think is going to make the leap and make the all-star team this season.
In order to defeat the Warriors, though, the Lakers are going to need more than two players shining this season. That is where Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma need to step up.
They both do not have to be playing at an all-star level or even need to be all-stars. However, the Lakers need at least one of these guys to take the next step from a talented young player into a bonafide NBA talent.
Personally, and I think this is going to surprise a lot of people, I think Ball has a better chance of reaching that mark. I think we already know what we are going to get out of Kuzma and Ball has a much higher ceiling.
He does not need to be another Curry, Kyrie Irving or even John Wall. Lonzo Ball needs to take that next step, emerge as the true third star on the team and give the Lakers a respectable and feared trio.