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The Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest concerns during the path to the Finals

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 08, 2020 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 08, 2020 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. They need a second playmaker

The Los Angeles Lakers have one true playmaker on the team that could not only consistently create their own shots by can operate the offense and create shots for others: LeBron James. It is great and dandy that it is James, but it hurts the team that they do not have a secondary playmaker.

The Lakers do not even need an elite playmaker, they need someone who could completely run the offense with LeBron off the court. And while LeBron might play 40 minutes in the playoffs, there are still going to be important stretches where the Lakers simply have to avoid falling apart.

When they come up against a team with a great second unit it will cause problems and absolutely could swing the results in playoff games that are often closely contested.

Rajon Rondo is supposed to be that guy, but as anyone that watches the Lakers know, Rondo has been far from great this season. Derrick Rose could have been a great secondary playmaker, but the overlapping minutes with LeBron could have clogged the offense and stopped the ball.

Just picture this. It is a five-point game late in the third quarter in the playoffs and LeBron is sitting the next four minutes to be ready for a long fourth-quarter stretch. Who is taking the ball up the court and making things happen?

We do not have an answer to that question, which is a concern for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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