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Los Angeles Lakers: Three huge positives through seven games

By Luis Contreras

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 29: LeBron James #23, Dwight Howard #39, Anthony Davis #3 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate against Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 29: LeBron James #23, Dwight Howard #39, Anthony Davis #3 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate against Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Staples Center on October 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. LeBron James’ defense

James is once again playing defense and it is benefiting the Los Angeles Lakers like crazy. Fans knew what to expect from Anthony Davis, so the 10.9 rebounds and three blocks a game are not anything surprising, beneficial without a doubt, but not anything new.

However, with LeBron, it seemed as if his good defensive days were over, at least in the regular season. Last season James’ defense was laughably bad. Constantly missing rebounds, walking back on defense, letting wing players blow past him, people were wondering if this was truly the decline of the king.

Now a lot of it had to do with age, but also because so many assignments were placed on his back. LeBron was his own team from about 2017 to 2019. Now bring in Anthony Davis, a defensive anchor, and so much weight is lifted off LeBron. He no longer has to execute so much energy on offense, leaving his defensive prowess to be displayed.

In these first seven games, it seems as if there is a new and revitalized LeBron on the defensive end. Moving and keeping up with guards, rotating, getting boards, the whole nine. He is currently 10th in defensive win shares. And he is actually ahead of his teammate Anthony Davis, granted only one place ahead but nonetheless, it is definitely a huge positive.

LeBron is currently averaging 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals and seems to be keeping that up in every game he plays. If James keeps this up, the Lakers undoubtedly can bring a 17th banner into Staples Center.

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