In a lot of ways, the Phoenix Suns represents where the Los Angeles Lakers wish to be right now.
The Suns are the best team in the West with a 24-5 record. They have won three straight games. They’re playing high-level basketball on both ends, leaving opponents in the dust. After a runner-up finish, they look like they are more focused than ever to get back to the Finals. And more importantly, in a season ravaged by injuries and players going in and out of the league’s COVID-19 protocols, the Suns have been able to weather through all the shifts in their roster.
Devin Booker, Phoenix’s primary gunner, recently returned to the lineup after missing seven games due to a hamstring injury. Deandre Ayton also looks like his old self after battling an illness earlier this month. Even though Abdel Nader, Frank Kaminsky, and Dario Saric, remain out, the Suns’ key players are all back in the fray.
As the Suns continue to ride the wave of their recent success, the Lakers seem desperate to try to stay afloat.
Los Angeles has 16 wins but also has 15 losses, including its last two outings. For all the hype and glamor that the Lakers received prior to the season with their star-studded lineup, the reality is far from their ideal situation.
At the center of the Lakers’ troubles is Anthony Davis. There may be a plethora of players in health and safety protocols, including role players Dwight Howard, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Malik Monk, but Davis is the second most important player on their team next to LeBron James. Davis has a sprained MCL in his knee and will have to be re-evaluated in four weeks. He leads his squad in points (23.3), rebounds (9.9), steals (1.2), and blocks (2.0).
There is a mountain of health issues on the side of the Lakers and we haven’t talked about how much they’ve struggled even when their stars are available. The burden of success in Los Angeles will inevitably fall on LeBron, as it always has in any of his teams. A season hampered by injuries and health issues might be the King’s greatest challenge yet.
The Suns are one of the favorites to win the West aside from the Golden State Warriors. It’s still early in the season, but they are on pace to make another deep postseason run.
The Lakers want to be where the Suns are. They want to be a contender. They want to be considered elite. They want to win it all by June next year. For now, however, they simply have to survive this time with their depleted lineup. A win over the Suns could be a huge confidence-booster and a loud statement to the league that they are still very potent.
It’s the Suns visiting the Lakers, tomorrow, 10:00 AM on NBA TV Philippines via Smart GigaPlay app or Cignal TV.
