2017-2018 NBA Previews – Los Angeles Lakers Name Odds
Looking for 2017 Los Angeles Lakers Predictions? We’ve got your back. The Lakers have been in the midst of a rebuild longer than the franchise has ever been in the midst of a rebuild. But as many Lakers fans and NBA fans can attest to, it finally took the step it needed last year bringing in a young, modern head coach in Luke Walton and finally bidding adieu to one of the greatest to ever play the game, Kobe Bryant.
Team Season Preview
Head Coach: Luke Walton
2016-17 Record: 26-56
Los Angeles Lakers Odds to NBA Title: +10000
Los Angeles Lakers Odds to Win Conference: +66000
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With the Lakers officially one year removed from the Bryant era and now moving into the Lonzo Ball era, there is a lot of hope for the future. This team has a young roster, but it also has plenty of players who could become All-Stars—or at least strong role players.
The question is: How quickly will some of that potential come to fruition?
Let’s take a look at what the Lakers have to offer this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Strengths:
We can’t start a conversation about the 2017-18 Lakers—strengths or weaknesses—without mentioning Lonzo Ball.
As far as Ball’s strengths go, you’re looking at one of the better basketball IQ’s of the 2017 rookie class. In fact, when it’s all said and done, he could prove to be one of the best floor generals that the league has, not by the end of his career but by the end of this season.
The question, of course, is: Who will step up and command the offense in terms of scoring. But we’ll get to that.
As far as distributing goes, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to Ball. Turnovers will likely be a problem, as they often are for high-usage rookies (and guards in general), but this guy is going to make sure the right players get involved.
We also can’t move past the team’s strengths without diving deeper into the depth of the youth. Julius Randle could become an All-Star. Jordan Clarkson, despite being perpetually on the trade block, can reate a shot both for himself and his teammates.
And say what you want about this…but Brandon Ingram has apparently grown to 6’11.” No, we’re not claiming he’s the next Greek Freak or KD, but that’s insane and it deserves recognition considering his potential to become a pure scorer in this league.
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Considering how young this team is, we have to consider it a plus that 29-year-old Brook Lopez and 24-year-old Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are the veterans of this team. Those two have potential to become the true go-to scoring options on this roster, which is good for the immediate success of the franchise.
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Los Angeles Lakers Weaknesses:
Remember how we highlighted the youth and potential as a strength here? Get ready for a 180-degree twist.
This team is young. That means it has a lot of potential…but it also means it has a lot of potential for young mistakes.
Yes, there will be games where the team doesn’t know it’s out of it and comes back to win a tight contest. But there will also be plenty of outings where the group is down seven or eight and just can’t find a way to slow down the game and regain control.
This team is going to have a lot of growing pains. And as alluded to earlier, that will include Ball.
Ball was a low-volume, efficient shooter in college. If he tries to make a name for himself scoring, he’s probably going to stunt his growth.
The good news is that he’s likely too smart to try that. But that problem is that he’ll become one-dimensional very quickly if he takes that approach.
Ball will have more positives than negatives when the year comes to an end. But there’s no doubt his janky shot has potential to be a problem, and his low points-per-game average could make defending him an easier task than originally hoped.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Prediction: 33-49
According to Vegas, the Lakers are tied with the New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets as the sixth-favorite team to win the West.
With apologies to Lakers fans…no. Just no.
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We see a lot of potential on this roster and we see a lot of that coming to fruition this upcoming season. But we’re looking at an alternate reality if you think the Lakers have the sixth-best odds to win the Western Conference.
Thirty-three wins should be plenty to feed the appetite of Lakers fans, and that’s what we’re giving them at this juncture.
No, this team isn’t going to contend for a title this year. But it will make strides, and it will be a lot of fun to watch.
What else can you ask for during a rebuild?
2017 NBA Gambling
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