The Lakers might actually be contenders

Something big changed for the Lakers over the last few weeks: They started believing in themselves. 

That’s a problem for the rest of the NBA. 

Their mile-long stares have turned into joy. Their lack of effort has transformed into determination. Their confusion has become confidence.

They were devoid of that belief until now. They didn’t think they were a championship team. The Big Three was a collection of disparate limbs operated by separate brains. Their defense came across as poor acting. Their 3-point shooting was abysmal. 

JJ Redick tried to mask his frustration with optimism, claiming the Lakers were going to figure things out. LeBron James, who knows a thing or two about winning with four championships and 10 Finals appearances, tried to say the right things but his disgust over spending the sunset of his career this way seeped through. Luka Doncic was a scoring machine but not a winner. 

All of that changed as the Lakers won 13 of their last 15 games, including going on a nine-game winning streak and finishing their road trip 5-1.

That was emphasized Wednesday in their 137-130 win over the Pacers in a game that was much more lopsided than the score. The Lakers, who are in third place in the West, were expected to beat the Pacers, who are in the cellar of the East. 

But the way they won spoke volumes. They played with joy. Everyone was involved. 

Luka Doncic had 21 points in the first quarter en route to finishing with 43 points on 50 percent shooting, six rebounds and seven assists. He’s the first player to average 40 points over six road games since Michael Jordan in 1986, per ESPN. 

Austin Reaves had 25 points, eight assists and two steals. LeBron James had 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. 

And even more importantly, guys who don’t usually get many touches shined on a night when Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura were sidelined. Jaxson Hayes had 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting and 10 rebounds. Jake LaRavia was active on both ends of the court, finishing with slam dunks and four steals. Bronny James had a jam that his father immediately shared on social media after the game. 

The Lakers led by as much as 29 points before mentally returning to Los Angeles in the fourth quarter on the tail end of an 11-day road trip. 

The Lakers are now a team to fear. 

They redefined themselves over the last 15 games. They smashed through their low glass ceiling, making anything seem possible. Doncic, James and Reaves have figured things out, with Doncic as the head of the snake, Reaves as the secondary option and James as arguably the greatest player of all-time masquerading as a role player. 

Really, who would want to play them in the playoffs?

Right now, the Lakers are capable of beating anyone. They don’t give up. They make game-winners. They’re the perfect combination of selfless and aggressive. They’ve fully bought in. They’re sacrificing. Everyone is starring in their role. 

They’ve beaten multiple contenders, including the Rockets, Nuggets, Knicks and Timberwolves. And they’ve won in different ways. 

They beat the Timberwolves with defense. They led buzzer to buzzer against the Knicks. They relied on Doncic for scoring explosions and James for triple-doubles at age 41. They turned to Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard with games on the line. 

They’ve gone from being individual musicians into a harmonious orchestra with everyone doing their part. And the timing of it all is uncanny. There are only nine games left in the season. The playoffs are around the corner. 

Over the last 15 games, the Lakers are third in offensive rating (121.5) and ninth in defensive rating (112.5), a marked uptick from being seventh in offensive rating (117.2) and 20th in defensive rating (115.9) on the season. 

Over their six-game trip, they learned to trust each other. They went golfing together multiple times. The locker room felt light, joyous.

And on the court, they were thrilling. Doncic inspired a hostile crowd in Miami to chant “MVP” as he scored his 60th point from the free-throw line. Kennard inspired a sold-out crowd in Orlando to cheer as he made a game-winning 3-pointer. Kevin Durant was left shellshocked after losing two straight games to LA.

The Lakers have found their identity. 

It took them a while. 

James had to reinvent himself in his 23rd season. Reaves had to deeply believe in himself while standing next to the current and future faces of the league. Doncic had to commit to both ends of the court. Ayton had to embrace winning over failed dreams of starring. Smart had to re-find himself. Kennard had to trust himself. 

But it has happened. 

And now, the Lakers could actually be great.