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Los Angeles Lakers: Why 2019 might be the only chance to win a title

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: (L-R) NBA players Anthony Davis and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers Executive Administrator, Player Programs and Logistics, Randy Mims attend Game Four of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-90 and won the series 3-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: (L-R) NBA players Anthony Davis and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers Executive Administrator, Player Programs and Logistics, Randy Mims attend Game Four of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-90 and won the series 3-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. 2020 and beyond is going to be much more of a challenge

The final reason for why 2019 might be the year is that everything is lining up for this year to be a potentially easier path than years that are directly following. While that is not to say that this year will be a breeze, there are fewer hurdles that the team is going to have to get over.

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First and foremost, whoever the Lakers play in the Eastern Conference likely won’t be as tough as the team that represents the East in the 2021 Finals. Unless Kevin Durant comes back from injury far earlier than expected, that Achilles injury should keep the Nets out of the Finals for the time being.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and even the Nets without KD are talented but they are not the superstar duo of KD and Kyrie Irving.

The other reasons are internal. LeBron James is going to be a year older in 2020 and as he enters the latter stages in his career we are going to begin to see a decline year-to-year. 2019 very well could be LeBron’s last great, All-NBA-caliber season.

Kawhi Irving and Paul George will have a year more of experience, as will Russell Westbrook and James Harden and other star duos.

The Lakers are catching the league at a time where these stars have to learn to play together in order to win. If LA can solve that riddle first then they absolutely will win a championship. If not, even with Davis, they are only making it much harder on themselves the following season.

Next. Ranking each Laker role player by importance. dark

The stars are aligned for the Los Angeles Lakers to either reach the top of the mountain in 2019 or crash and burn. If they do reach that pinnacle then the success might be able to stretch out over multiple years. If not, they could fall way back into mediocrity.

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