After a rocky start to the season, the Lakers have found their momentum and dominated the Grizzlies in Game 6 to advance in the playoffs. Despite a guarantee from Grizzlies player Desmond Bane that they would be back for Game 7, the Lakers shut down the Grizzlies in a must-win game on their home court. (CBS Sports)
The Lakers were able to make this push thanks in part to the trade deadline moves made by GM Rob Pelinka, who freed up more touches and minutes for newcomer Austin Reaves. Pelinka noted that this was a factor in the decision-making process. (Lakers Nation)
As the Lakers move forward in the playoffs, they’ll need to address their point guard rotation, which has struggled against the Grizzlies’ one-two punch. There are several free agent point guards that could potentially help the team, including some big names like Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry. (Sports Illustrated)
One player the Lakers will likely try to retain is Austin Reaves, who is set to become a restricted free agent. Reaves has been impressive and could be a hot commodity on the market, with one NBA exec suggesting that he appeals to “literally every team.” (Bleacher Report)
Despite the earlier struggles in the season, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is proud of the team for fighting through and turning things around. The team has shown resilience and determination, and that’s what it takes to make a successful playoff push. (Lakers Nation)
As the Lakers look ahead to more closeout games, star player Anthony Davis opened up about the difficulty of these high-pressure situations. It takes mental strength and focus to come out on top, and the Lakers will need every bit of that to succeed. (Lakers Nation)
And while we don’t have any direct quotes, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has shared some insight into what a locked in postseason LeBron James looks like behind the scenes. James is known for his incredible focus and determination, and this could be a key factor in the Lakers’ success. (Lakers Nation)
All in all, the Lakers have a lot going for them as they move forward in the playoffs. They have a deep roster with plenty of talent and experience, and they seem to have a newfound energy and drive that could help them go far. Only time will tell if they have what it takes to win it all.
