Lakers Navigate Early Season Challenges Amidst High Expectations
The Los Angeles Lakers have embarked on their 2024-25 NBA season with a blend of promise and early challenges. The team, which started strong with three consecutive wins, has faced setbacks on the road, dropping two games in a row. Despite these ups and downs, the Lakers remain focused on their goal of securing a playoff berth and potentially competing for a championship.
One of the highlights of the season so far has been the debut of father-son duo LeBron James and Bronny James, who made history as the first father-son teammates in NBA history. The pair shared the court for the first time during the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and have continued to make headlines with their performances.
In a recent game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bronny James scored his first NBA basket, a moment that was celebrated by the Cleveland crowd and his father, who called it an “unbelievable moment” for their family. The younger James finished the game with two points, two assists, and a steal in his five minutes on the court.
However, the Lakers have faced some tough challenges on the court, including a 134-110 loss to the Cavaliers, who outscored the Lakers by 19 points in the opening quarter. Despite the loss, Lakers center Anthony Davis revealed that he “jammed” his hip during the first quarter, but is determined to play through the injury and help lead his team to victory.
The Lakers’ early season struggles have also raised questions about their draft picks. The team recently gave up on second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, declining his $4.1 million third-year option for 2025-26, making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The move has been seen as a surprise, given that Hood-Schifino was a first-round pick just 16 months ago.
In contrast, the Golden State Warriors, who took Brandin Podziemski two picks after the Lakers selected Hood-Schifino, have already picked up Podziemski’s third-year player option and he has shown promise as a key player for the team. The Lakers’ decision to pass on Podziemski and other potential stars has led to criticism and raised questions about their drafting strategy.
Despite these challenges, the Lakers remain focused on their goal of making the playoffs and competing for a championship. They will face several critical matchups in the Western Conference, including games against the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, and other top contenders such as the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers’ success in these matchups will largely depend on the health and performance of their star duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. James has been a dominant force on the court, leading the team with his scoring and playmaking abilities, while Davis has been a dominant force in the paint, leading the league in defensive rebounds and ranking as the third-leading scorer in the NBA.
The Lakers will need to balance their regular-season workload with playoff readiness, and if James and Davis can maintain their health and peak performance for the postseason, the team will remain a formidable contender in the Western Conference.