NBA – Two favorites in arrears: why should we worry about the LA Lakers … and less for the Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks – Lakers. Like a scent of NBA Finals. Well… in theory. When the league scheduled this shock at the top as the star poster of its Wednesday night, it probably did not imagine that the two teams would be in bad shape after a month of competition. This is a potential foretaste of the month of June, a duel between the last two defending champions and not a banal meeting between the eleventh of the Eastern Conference and the seventh of the West. For now, both Milwaukee and Los Angeles are vegetating in the middle of the standings. Far from their claims.

Worse still, the difference in level of play displayed between the Bulls and the Lakers on Monday night (defeat of LA 103 to 121) would suggest that it is the Chicagoans, and not the Californians, who aspire to play the leading roles next June. . Frank Vogel’s players took to the water without putting up any resistance in the third quarter. With a gap that went up to 25 lengths for a heavy defeat at the finish. Except that even after only 15 matches, it is impossible to advance the thesis of a simple accident. In reality, it even becomes an annoying habit. They had already suffered the same fate a few days earlier against the Timberwolves.

To the point of inciting Anthony Davis, usually very discreet, to shout. “We sucked“, he swung after the setback of his team (83-107).”We don’t defend and we can’t score either. It’s up to us to ask ourselves what we aspire to. Do we want to be a team that plays for the title? We are far from resembling it. We must do better. It’s embarassing.“His words don’t seem to have resonated. Los Angeles is even the worst team in the league in the third quarter with a total differential of -89. Even the dunces that are New Orleans, Detroit or Houston do better.

Los Angeles, far from being able to claim the title

It’s problematic, obviously, but also symptomatic. That the automatisms are not yet developed, it is almost normal. But the attitude and level of effort displayed by the players remain unworthy of a team of this stature. The best groups are supposed to dominate in the third quarter! It even became the hallmark of the Warriors in their four consecutive finals. Most disturbing is that the Lakers did not reassure any of the potential weak points imagined before the start of the season. Inconsistent, poorly constructed and therefore dysfunctional. They tick all the boxes.

The lack of chemistry was obvious from the first meetings – logical that said – with for example a game against the Suns where LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Davis started with 7 possessions in a row concluded by shots at half distance, most often contested. Because they could not find themselves on the ground and each one went there of his small personal action in turn. It’s just an isolated stint two months ago but ultimately quite significant of the lack of space and complementarity when the three stars are together on the pitch with a slow and harmless pivot like DeAndre Jordan.

Every discussion on the subject comes at some point to Russell Westbrook. Because its presence in this workforce always raises so many questions. The number is not bad – 19.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists – but it never is with the former MVP. You just have to dig a little deeper to notice the problems posed by his style of play. He is clumsy (42% on shots, 29% on three-pointers), which pushes the opposing defense to ignore him when he doesn’t have the ball. And when he’s in charge, he loses the ball more than any other player in the league (5.3 per game).

Many adjustments to be made

Moreover, Davis told the press that the Lakers have already taken the time to talk to the guy about his choices and therefore his sometimes completely absurd ball losses. Out of politeness, AD spoke of the ways his teammates can help their point guard. But in truth, it starts from him. His profile doesn’t stick with such an ambitious franchise at this point in his career. Westbrook is a player capable of turning the fifteenth team in the championship into a candidate for the play-in. Or to constantly bring into the playoffs an organization that squats the soft underbelly of the table. But for the Top 3, it doesn’t work. It does not work anymore.

The problem is, the Lakers – via James for example – keep saying over and over again that they brought him in so that he could be himself. Except, no, it’s impossible! He has to change his game. And that doesn’t work either. He doesn’t have the skill to play without the ball. The ideal would be for him to take inspiration from Dwyane Wade – Miami era – by multiplying the cuts, moving intelligently to take advantage of his qualities as a finisher near the circle. For now, he doesn’t. The most optimistic will say that it will come. That the Angelenos have time. But maybe not that much. A season goes by quickly.

And offseason armadas (almost only new players in LA) rarely make it through their first year together. Even less with so many black dots. Vogel and his assistants have already started to adjust by making Davis play more and more at post five. The title formula in 2020. The Lakers simply have no choice. AD either. He must evolve as a pivot, a position which exposes him to more physical contact and which increases the risk of injury to a very fragile All-Star and therefore constantly plagued by health problems. But if his body holds up, this pattern gives more freedom to James, Westbrook and the others.

The only problem is that the workforce has not been designed in this sense. And Californians are already desperately looking for snipers likely to accompany the three thieves. They will most likely make adjustments during the season. With players like LeBron and Davis, the Lakers have arguments anyway. And therefore reasons to believe in it. It remains to be seen whether their talent will be enough to make the difference.

The Bucks Really Diminished

For the Bucks, the situation is really different. Their delicate start to the season can be explained above all by the (very) numerous absentees. Especially among executives. Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Donte DiVicenzo, Giannis Antetokounmpo… all have missed matches. Which quite simply corresponds to the major five. An avalanche of injuries and health concerns after a very long campaign last year. It is already less worrying than the case of the Lakers.

Mike Budenholzer’s players know their system. They already have strengths and solid foundations on which to build. There is less pressure. The champions traditionally gain strength in the second half of the season and that’s what to expect from this team once complete. On the other hand, the small shadow on the board ultimately concerns the departures of the offseason. This sawtooth start, with a squad depth problem, tends to illustrate the loss of an important player like PJ Tucker for example. Knowing that he has not really been replaced.

Two favorites and therefore two completely different situations. For the Bucks, everything will ultimately depend on everyone’s feedback. That of LeBron James will also be important to the Lakers but the latter have a long way to go. Their first “road trip” of the season, with 5 consecutive away matches, is likely to be important and revealing.