With the NBA Restart on the horizon, we are going to take stock of who is on the Los Angeles Lakers, what they did, or didn’t do this season, and what to look for as the Lakers look to march towards their 17th championship banner in the most unprecedented circumstances in NBA history.
J.R. Smith
It always felt like this move was in the cards, but it took an NBA stoppage in play, and Avery Bradley choosing to opt-out of the NBA’s restart to make it happen. Nevertheless, J.R. Smith has reunited with LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers, as the two try to win their second championship together.
Smith, while he was brought in as Bradley’s replacement, likely won’t be asked to assume the same role that Bradley played, unless the Lakers have a severe shortage of available players. Still, having Smith, a career 37% 3-point shooter in his postseason career, is quite the luxury for the Lakers.
Smith won’t be asked to create out of the pick and roll or out of isolations like Dion Waiters will likely be asked to do in the wake of the Rajon Rondo injury. But what Smith does provide is a rangy defender who can guard multiple spots when he’s locked in and a more reliable playoff 3-point shooter than Bradley.
Also, as Smith himself detailed a few weeks ago, having someone who can Speak LeBron is crucial for a group of guys that have never seen James get locked in on the level he normally is come playoff time. It may be abrasive for some and uncomfortable, but having someone who knows how to communicate and stand up to James in the postseason will be crucial.
The Lakers aren’t light on veterans, with plenty of guys who have been through high-pressure situations. Also, with Smith’s last high-profile NBA moment coming in his Game 1 gaffe in the 2018 Finals, there’s no doubt that Smith would like to make new memory for himself to be remembered by.
