NBA Daily: 2022-2023 Season Preview #8 – Los Angeles Lakers
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 Sep 2022
In this limited 30-part series, we shall be discussing each team’s latest developments, current roster, and future prospects in the upcoming 2022-2023 NBA season. For every team, we will examine bit-by-bit the important aspects that may shape its progress and provide a rough projection of how it will fare vis-à-vis its previous year’s performance and versus the rest of the league.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
2021-2022 Season Win-Loss Record:
33-49
Depth Chart:
PG – Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverly, Kendrick Nunn
SG – Dennis Shroeder, Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker IV
SF – LeBron James, Troy Brown Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson
PF – Anthony Davis, Wenyen Gabriel
CE – Thomas Bryant, Damian Jones,
Injury Updates:
No significant injuries.
Head Coach:
Darvin Ham Sr.
Headliners:
LeBron James is 37 years old and though he still managed to average an amazing 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists on a nightly basis, it didn’t translate to wins. He still remains among the best players in the league, but if the Lakers’ performance last year was any indication, he can no longer do it on his own.
The Russell Westbrook experiment massively failed. Last year began with a promise of having three alphas in LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook forming a formidable trio of All Stars to catapult the Lakers back into title contention. Then Davis missed a total of 42 games, while James also missed 26 of his own, leaving Westbrook to absorb all the flak, even when he averaged a respectable 18.5 markers, 7.4 boards, and 7.1 dimes per game.
James may still be the Lakers’ best player, while Westbrook may be the most durable one, but it is without a shadow of doubt that the team’s chances will largely hinge on Davis’ health and his ability to stay healthy throughout the season. He is their best defender and rim protector, averaging 1.2 steals and 2.3 blocks per contest in the 40 games that he played.
The addition of Patrick Beverly and Dennis Shroder will certainly add stability to the Lakers’ backcourt, while the perimeter shooting and added dimension presented by Austin Reaves and the newly acquired Lonnie Walker IV will definitely help shore up their bench wing production.
It is still uncertain whether or not Westbrook remains a Laker, as the season unfolds. Will the proud franchise choose to restart the experiment, now that all the key cogs are healthy or will they opt to move in a different direction? Only time can tell.
Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 21 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round
By Eric Armit, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 21 Jul 2026