By James Brown
Contrary to preseason expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team is grappling with challenges, particularly in integrating new faces and managing injuries.
With a current record of 3-5, an improvement from the previous season but falling short of the anticipated success, the Lakers are facing scrutiny, especially given the majority of the roster's return from the team that reached the Western Conference Finals.
GM Rob Pelinka's offseason moves, including the acquisition of center Christian Wood, were viewed as pivotal in complementing Lakers' superstar Anthony Davis. Wood, serving as a valuable asset off the bench, has allowed Coach Darvin Ham to maintain size in lineups in Davis's absence. Impressively, Wood ranks fifth in the NBA's plus/minus leaders off the bench with a +50, showcasing his significant impact on the team's performance.
Interestingly, the stat list also features former Lakers shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV, who currently holds the tenth spot with a +46. This inclusion raises questions about the decision to part ways with Walker, suggesting his potential utility in providing much-needed 3-point shooting for Coach Ham's team, particularly recalling Walker's notable contributions in the last playoffs against the Golden State Warriors.
Former Lakers point guard Patrick Beverley is currently leading the NBA's plus/minus rankings for coming-off-the-bench players with an impressive +63 after eight games. While Beverley has proven to be a valuable asset for his new team, the Lakers, on the other hand, do not appear to be missing him. Instead, the focus for the Lakers seems to be on the need to acquire better role players to enhance the overall team performance. Despite Beverley's individual success, the Lakers are looking to build a roster that can address their specific needs and elevate the team's overall gameplay.
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