As I sit here watching the Lakers' preseason games, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and anxiety that comes with being a lifelong fan. You see, following this team is a lot like watching a dramatic sports story unfold in real time - full of unexpected twists, emotional highs and lows, and characters you can't help but root for. It reminds me of that interesting parallel in collegiate sports where Adamson remains the only school without a UAAP women's volleyball crown despite their consistent efforts - sometimes in sports, no matter how much talent you assemble, that final piece of the puzzle remains elusive.
Let's start with the obvious headline - LeBron James entering his 21st season at age 38. I still find this absolutely mind-boggling. The man is playing against guys who weren't even born when he started his basketball journey. Last season, he averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while shooting over 50% from the field. Those numbers would be impressive for a player in their prime, let alone someone who's been in the league two decades. I've watched him evolve from that explosive young phenom to this basketball savant who seems to see the game three moves ahead of everyone else. His basketball IQ is just off the charts at this point.
Then there's Anthony Davis, who I genuinely believe holds the key to our championship aspirations. When AD is healthy and engaged, he's arguably the most complete big man in basketball. I still get chills thinking about his 2020 playoff run where he was absolutely dominant on both ends. But his health remains the million-dollar question - he's missed significant time in three of the last four seasons, averaging about 55 games per year during his Lakers tenure. That's the frustrating part as a fan - you know what he's capable of, but you're always holding your breath every time he hits the floor.
The supporting cast this year feels different though, and I mean that in a good way. Austin Reaves has developed into exactly the kind of homegrown talent that championship teams need. I remember watching his early games thinking he had potential, but his leap last season - particularly in the playoffs where he averaged 16.9 points on 46% shooting - exceeded even my optimistic expectations. He plays with that old-school grit that Lakers fans love, and his chemistry with LeBron in pick-and-roll situations has become something special.
D'Angelo Russell's return last season gave us exactly what we needed - a legitimate playmaker who can take some of the creation burden off LeBron. His 17.8 points and 6.2 assists per game after rejoining the Lakers provided crucial spacing and secondary playmaking. Though I'll admit, I still have concerns about his consistency come playoff time, based on what we saw in the Western Conference Finals.
What really excites me about this roster is the depth. We've got Rui Hachimura, who showed flashes of being that versatile forward we've been missing since... well, since Lamar Odom. His mid-range game is butter-smooth, and at 6'8" with his athleticism, he can guard multiple positions. Then there's Jarred Vanderbilt, who might be our most important defensive piece outside of AD. The energy he brings is contagious - you can feel the entire team's defensive intensity lift when he's on the floor making plays.
The new additions are intriguing too. Gabe Vincent coming over from Miami gives us another ball-handler and proven playoff performer. I watched him in Miami's playoff run last season thinking "man, I wish we had a guy like that." Well, now we do. And Christian Wood, despite his defensive limitations, provides exactly the kind of scoring punch we need off the bench. His ability to stretch the floor as a big could be huge in certain lineups.
Looking at this roster construction, it feels like Rob Pelinka learned from past mistakes. Remember those teams where we had three point guards who couldn't shoot? Or the season where our only reliable wing was 37-year-old Trevor Ariza? This group actually makes sense - we have size, shooting, playmaking, and defensive versatility. The pieces fit together in a way that suggests someone actually thought about how they'd work in practice, not just on paper.
But here's what keeps me up at night - the Western Conference is absolutely stacked. Denver looks every bit the defending champion, Phoenix assembled their own super team, Golden State still has their core, and Memphis is young and hungry. Making the playoffs won't be enough - this team needs to contend, and anything less will feel like failure.
The comparison to that Adamson volleyball situation really resonates with me here. They've been competitive, they've had talent, but that championship has remained just out of reach despite coming close. That's the fear with this Lakers team - having the pieces isn't enough. You need health, timing, chemistry, and maybe a little luck. The 2020 team proved they could do it in the bubble, but that feels like a lifetime ago in NBA years.
What gives me hope is that this roster has fewer obvious flaws than any we've seen since that championship team. The shooting should be better - we've got multiple players who can reliably knock down threes. The defense should be versatile enough to switch schemes depending on the opponent. And most importantly, we have multiple players who can create their own shot, which becomes crucial in playoff basketball when sets break down and you need someone to make a play.
I'm particularly excited to see how Darvin Ham manages this group in his second year as head coach. Last season felt like he was constantly adjusting to roster changes and injuries. Now with a full training camp and more stability, we should see more of his defensive principles and offensive sets implemented consistently.
As we approach opening night, I find myself more optimistic than I've been in years. This team has the star power, the depth, and the motivation to make a serious run. But as any Lakers fan will tell you, expectations and reality don't always align in this league. We've been burned before by teams that looked great on paper but never quite figured it out on the court.
Still, there's something about this group that feels different. Maybe it's the mix of veteran wisdom and youthful energy. Maybe it's the way the pieces seem to complement each other. Or maybe I'm just falling for the preseason hype again. Either way, I'll be watching every game, riding the emotional rollercoaster, and hoping this is the year we add another banner to the rafters. Because in the end, that's what being a Lakers fan is all about - believing that this year could be the year, no matter what the skeptics say.
