The preseason didn’t go as planned for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their 1-5 record in warm-up games left fans and analysts skeptical, but Luka Doncic believes he knows exactly what the team needs to reach the playoffs: physicality.
The Lakers struggled to make a strong impression, managing only one win against the Golden State Warriors in their third game. They suffered two losses to the Suns and one each to the Warriors, Mavericks, and Kings.
The regular season opener doesn’t look much easier. Los Angeles will host Golden State again, followed by matchups against Minnesota and a road game in Sacramento.
Some analysts noted flashes of brilliance during the preseason, but not enough to suggest a postseason breakthrough. Doncic, however, insists that practice and live competition are two very different beasts.
Doncic’s prescription for the Lakers
Speaking at a press conference after Friday’s 117-116 loss to the Kings, Doncic didn’t mince words. “Obviously, practice is different,” he said. “I think the practices were more physical.”
When asked what the team lacked in preseason games, Doncic was blunt: “Obviously, physicality.”
With the regular season just three days away, Doncic knows the clock is ticking. “I say we need to work on our physicality sometimes,” he added after the narrow loss in Sacramento.
He understands that physicality-whether in the paint, on loose balls, or on defense-is essential for any team with championship aspirations.
The Lakers are Luka’s team now
One thing became clear this offseason: the Lakers now revolve around Luka Doncic. While LeBron James opted into another year in Los Angeles, the front office built the roster around the Slovenian star.
The additions of DeAndre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart signal a shift in strategy, with Doncic positioned as the franchise cornerstone.
Now, the question remains: can this revamped roster, paired with the physical edge Doncic demands, finally push the Lakers toward another NBA title?
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