Lakers Newsletter: Who the Lakers do and don’t want to meet in the playoffs

Hello everyone, it’s me Then Woike, and welcome back to the Lakers newsletter, a chance for me to speak to you directly, dear reader, through the same medium various men’s stores use to speak to me. Unfortunately I can’t give you a 40% discount on chinos.

However, I can offer you a slice of Lakers optimism and a taste of what could be a very interesting postseason (if the Lakers pull through).

Wild, wild, wild west

I was a guest on Spectrum SportsNet on Wednesday night and was asked ahead of the show which team in the West is heading in the right direction.

Of course I answered Phoenix.

I’ve also been asked which team is going the wrong way,

Of course I answered with the Clippers.

When I went to bed Wednesday night I think I would have changed both answers.

That, in a way, was the story of the Western Conference last month. Those who sleep well miss things that are completely reversed.

So I thought, mainly for historical reasons, let’s look west and see which teams I think would be the scariest for the Lakers if they were in the postseason.

No disrespect but….

Utah jazz

Yes, the Lakers have already lost to the Jazz twice this season in their only encounters. And yes, Utah has had one of the best stories in the league this year with a brilliant head coach Will Hardie and very offensive punch with Laurie Markkanen And Jordan Clarkson.

But the Lakers helped storm the Jazz at the end, and in win-win situations, there’s no good team the Lakers will see that scares them less.

Oklahoma City thunder

The thing about playoffs, and playoffs in particular, is you want to make sure you have the best player on the field.

So, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is good enough to make you think twice about this question.

The Thunder are tough, play for each other and are totally pressureless and that makes them dangerous. But on this list, sleeping isn’t enough.

Portland trail blazer

Having a player who can score 70 points on any given night is scary enough. But outside Damien LillardPortland’s injury woes and lack of depth give them no cause for concern beyond a Lillard stove.

It could happen and the Blazers blow the Lakers past the deadline, but it still feels like a game for the Lakers.

Pelicans from New Orleans

If Zion Williamson play, New Orleans would be much higher on this list. He’s not playing yet – and no one seems to know when he will be. C. J. McCollum And Brandon Ingram are the kind of tough shooters who can beat even a good defense, but they’ve only won seven times since Jan. 13.

At one point they were terrifying. Now they are more of a hypothetical threat.

Appropriate fear

Sacramento kings

The Beam team plays with tons of speed and skill, but it’s more than fair to wonder how they’ll tackle the slower postseason game.

The Kings definitely speed up the Lakers and the Kings have scored at least 120 points in every encounter they have with them, but I think Sacramento’s lack of center defense is something the Lakers will take advantage of in a series.

Minnesota Timber Wolves

When the Lakers played Minnesota last week, the Timberwolves physically dominated the game. They pushed the Lakers off their offense and when the team went into color, Rudy Gobert she was completely shocked.

Anthony Edwards could be one of the best two-way players in a season and Jaden McDaniels anyone assigned to it can block.

Still, there are major concerns about when Karl Anthony Cities Finally back on track, which you ideally wouldn’t find out in March.

Memphis grizzlies

I’ll keep it simple

There’s a lot of talent here, and more than that Yes Moran rejoin the team.

But do you really trust them to make the right decisions, especially under the pressure of the postseason?

Okay, that makes me nervous

Warriors of the Golden State

So much championship experience, two great players there Stephen Curry And Clay Thompson and in a defensive battle Draymond green and yet…

This team has had weird vibes all year – starting with a leaked video of a pre-season hit in practice – and their struggles on the road have been nothing short of bizarre.

Ignore the Warriors at your peril, but the Lakers have already beaten them three times this year, and another Warriors deep run is still pretty speculative.

Dallas Mavericks

There isn’t a player in the west scarier than him in a playoff series Luke Doncic.

Dallas received good news that his leg injury is not considered serious. Their defense, chemistry and depth are all suspect, but Doncic is good enough to single-handedly finish a team’s season.

I’d really rather not do it

Denver nuggets

No drama, possibly MVP and continuity – it feels like people are underestimating the threat Denver poses to the West and if they win we’ll look to those grounds and kick ourselves in the head.

But the Lakers recorded some wins against Denver this season, and that was before the Lakers built their team for the better.

Give me the team that did it all year instead of the team that did it for three weeks.

blinkers

They have many problems to solve – how best to handle them Russell Westbrook just to be one of them. But if they answer half their questions and get their rotation in order, they’ll have an incredible playoff roster of experience, size, quick wit and versatility.

The questions are big; so the head is down.

The way they defended against Toronto on Wednesday night was a huge step forward and if they get into a rhythm on this side of the floor they will be unbeatable for anyone.

No, none of that

Phoenix Suns

On the one hand, they shortened their wingspan to land Kevin Durant and he only injured his ankle during the pre-game warm-up.

On the other hand, he is the plug-and-play star of the league, perfectly suited to any situation due to his skill, versatility and underrated defense.

They have some depth issues, but if their top 7 stays healthy, they’ll be the scariest team in the West.

song of the week

“A Roller Skate Jam Called ‘Saturdays'” by De La Soul

Let’s celebrate that the De La Soul catalog is finally out by putting on some skates and heading into the weekend. With the team we come home and relax, everything you just read about the west will probably have changed.

In case you missed it

Plaschke: “I miss him so much.” Pau Gasol takes rightful place next to “brother” Kobe Bryant

“The Physical Style”: How Rui Hachimura Helped the Lakers Beat the Grizzlies

Anthony Davis leads the Lakers win over the Grizzlies after Pau Gasol’s jersey is retired

“AD is AD. One of one.” Anthony Davis leads the Lakers past the Warriors in a tiebreaker win

Hernandez: Anthony Davis gives Lakers hope while on the field

Troy Brown Jr. fills valuable Lakers role with injured LeBron James

With their lives on the line in the playoffs, Darvin Ham challenges the Lakers’ effort and urgency