The Lakers know this well—when LeBron James joined LA, the team missed the playoffs in his first year, highlighting the importance of adjustments and depth.
In the 2018-2019 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers experienced a harsh reality when they missed the playoffs despite the arrival of LeBron James, one of the greatest players of all time. It was a season that highlighted not only the immense pressure that comes with LeBron’s presence but also the importance of team chemistry, roster adjustments, and depth in achieving success in the NBA.
The Anticipation and Arrival of LeBron James
When the Lakers signed LeBron James in the summer of 2018, the excitement was palpable. LeBron had just led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2018 NBA Finals, and his decision to come to Los Angeles marked the beginning of a new era for the storied franchise. The Lakers had been starved for success in recent years, missing the playoffs for five consecutive seasons before LeBron’s arrival. The signing was seen as a transformative move, one that could bring the Lakers back into contention for the championship.
Fans, analysts, and even former players were quick to predict that the Lakers would return to the playoffs, and perhaps even challenge for the NBA title. After all, LeBron was a four-time NBA champion and four-time Finals MVP. He was a player capable of carrying any team on his back, and expectations were sky-high.
The Struggles of the First Season
However, the first season did not go as expected. The Lakers, despite LeBron’s individual brilliance, struggled throughout the season. A combination of injuries, inconsistent play, and a lack of supporting talent led to a disappointing outcome: the Lakers missed the playoffs.
LeBron James himself missed 27 games that season due to injury, a significant portion of the campaign. This was the first time in his career that he had missed that many games in a single season, and his absence had a clear impact on the team’s performance. Without LeBron in the lineup, the Lakers found it difficult to compete against the top teams in the West. Even with LeBron back in the lineup, the team lacked the cohesion and consistency required to make a playoff push.
Additionally, the Lakers’ roster was still in transition. While LeBron was surrounded by a mix of veterans and young players, the overall chemistry was not there. The team had not yet found the right balance of scoring, defense, and playmaking, and many of the role players failed to step up in critical moments. The lack of depth became especially apparent as the season progressed.
The Importance of Adjustments and Depth
The Lakers’ failure to make the playoffs in LeBron’s first year in LA was a clear reminder of how important roster depth and adjustments are in the NBA. LeBron, despite his otherworldly talent, cannot carry a team alone in the modern NBA. A championship contender requires a well-rounded roster that can contribute on both ends of the floor and step up when needed.
The 2018-2019 Lakers roster featured some solid individual players, but there was a clear lack of depth. Players like Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart had potential, but they were still developing and did not provide the consistency needed to help LeBron lead the team to the playoffs. Additionally, the Lakers lacked a true second star to complement LeBron. While Kuzma showed flashes of brilliance, he was still a young player who had not yet developed into a reliable scorer on a nightly basis.
Moreover, the absence of a true point guard and reliable shooters plagued the Lakers throughout the season. LeBron, often forced to handle the ball and initiate the offense, did not have enough support in terms of playmaking or shooting, leading to a lot of turnovers and missed opportunities. The team also lacked depth at key positions, particularly in the frontcourt, where they were often overpowered by opposing teams.
A Lesson Learned: Adjustments and Building a Championship Roster
The 2018-2019 season served as a critical learning experience for the Lakers. It made them realize that even with LeBron James, they needed more than just a superstar to compete for a championship. The Lakers needed to build a roster with the right mix of veterans, young talent, and complementary pieces to surround LeBron.
In the offseason following their disappointing season, the Lakers made several key adjustments to their roster. The most notable move was the acquisition of Anthony Davis in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. Davis, one of the best players in the league and a perfect complement to LeBron, instantly elevated the team’s chances of contention. The pairing of LeBron and Davis created a dynamic duo that had the potential to dominate on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers also made several key signings, adding veterans like Danny Green, Avery Bradley, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, all of whom could contribute defensively and provide shooting. They also brought in Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee to strengthen the frontcourt and provide rim protection. With these additions, the Lakers had not only a deep roster but also a team that could excel defensively, something that was lacking in the previous season.
The Results: A Championship-Caliber Team
The changes made during the 2019 offseason transformed the Lakers into a championship-caliber team. In the 2019-2020 season, the Lakers dominated the regular season, finishing with the top seed in the Western Conference. LeBron and Davis led the way, but the supporting cast also stepped up. Players like Caldwell-Pope, Green, and McGee played crucial roles in the Lakers’ success.
The Lakers’ newfound depth allowed them to excel on both ends of the floor. Their defense became one of the best in the league, thanks to the presence of Davis, LeBron, and the defensive-minded role players. On offense, the Lakers were able to rely on LeBron and Davis to do the heavy lifting, but they also had reliable shooters and playmakers who could contribute when needed.
The Lakers’ efforts culminated in an NBA championship in 2020, their first since 2010. The team’s ability to make adjustments, add key pieces, and develop chemistry paid off, as they were able to overcome teams like the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat in the postseason. LeBron James was named Finals MVP, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
The Ongoing Importance of Adjustments and Depth
The Lakers’ journey serves as a valuable lesson for NBA teams: adjustments and depth are crucial to success. While LeBron James is an all-time great, even he needs a well-constructed team around him to reach the highest levels of success. The Lakers learned this lesson the hard way in the 2018-2019 season, but their ability to adapt and improve during the following offseason resulted in an NBA title.
As the NBA continues to evolve, the importance of building a balanced and deep roster remains unchanged. Superstar players like LeBron and Anthony Davis can carry a team far, but it is the supporting cast that ultimately determines whether a team can win a championship. The Lakers’ blueprint of surrounding LeBron with elite talent, defensive prowess, and depth has set a new standard for championship-contending teams.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will continue to focus on maintaining roster depth and making the necessary adjustments to compete for championships. The experience of missing the playoffs in LeBron’s first year in LA will always serve as a reminder of how difficult it is to succeed in the NBA without the right pieces in place.
In conclusion, the Lakers’ struggles in LeBron James’ first season in LA were a valuable learning experience. It was a reminder that in the modern NBA, superstar players cannot do it alone. Roster depth, team chemistry, and the ability to make adjustments are just as important as having a superstar player. The Lakers’ subsequent success in building a championship team around LeBron James highlights the importance of these factors, and their 2020 title serves as proof that with the right adjustments, anything is possible.
