A New Hope
By: Peyton Schultze
The Lakers survived a 107-106 win over Atlanta, led by a game saving block by newly acquired Tyson Chandler.
For someone who has only averaged 7.2 points per game and 25.0 minutes per game over his past 4 seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Tyson Chandler has made an impression unlike many others to suit up with the purple and gold. In a early season acquisition by the Lakers that sent Chandler from Phoenix to LA, the Lakers have now won three in a row to change the look of the beginning of their season and put LA among the top teams in the Western Conference in a hope to somehow challenge the otherworldly Golden State Warriors. First, it was Chandler’s offensive rebounds in the 4th quarter of his Staples Center debut that propelled the Lakers to vanish the Blazers’ 16 game win streak over the Lakers. Then, it was his high intensity that helped the Lakers to a relatively easy, yet up and down game, over the hot Sacramento Kings. But then, last night against the Atlanta Hawks, Chandler truly left his mark by saving the Lakers from a devastating collapse to a 3-9 Hawks team. As rookie Trae Young rushed to the lane to put up a floater for the game winning shot, Chandler reached up and swatted the ball with the edges of his fingertips, sealing a 107-106 win for the Lakers.
In addition, a late putback dunk by superstar, LeBron James, after a missed shot on an offensive rebound by forward, Kyle Kuzma, helped the Lakers gain the lead prior to Chandler’s block. James missed two free throws to potentially seal the game, but recovered with the toughly contested dunk on Kuzma’s miss that put the Lakers on top. After a wild and rowdy celebration that followed a tough week for the city of Los Angeles, a suddenly new fan favorite, Tyson Chandler, had this to say following the win:
“I love this city the way they love me. I’ve been on the other side and played the villain. Now it’s great to be on this side and actually rep ‘em.”
To begin the season, the Lakers had two huge weaknesses that became ever-so apparent as each game passed: rebounding and defense. While it is safe to say that they have not fixed these issues completely, the Lakers have been rebounding the ball better since Chandler arrived, and also put together their most impressive defensive performance of the season against Sacramento, limiting them to just 86 points. Another key thing to notice: the play of the Lakers since president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, was said to of had a very intense meeting with head coach, Luke Walton. The Lakers, whether intentionally or not, have been on a tear since then, going 5-1 over their past 6 games and having the back of Walton. As is the case with any LeBron James-led team, he often is the one that is able to right the ship and put it back on the course when things start to get out of hand. Just look at some of the things the Lakers have already had to deal with this season. Johnson’s meeting with Walton. A brawl against Houston that saw three players suspended. A heartbreaking loss to San Antonio that included poor defense and James’ missed free throws down the stretch. An absolute blowout in the Lakers first true test of the season against a Kawhi Leonard-less Toronto. Maybe the credit deserves to go to Walton. Maybe it deserves to go to James for being able to put on dominant performances each and every night to enable the Lakers to compete. But most of the credit probably lies in the hands of the young and old Laker players who have not always had to deal with the publicity and drama that LeBron inevitably brings. Players like Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart seem to have taken steps in their developments, and while it may not show up in the box score, seem composed and ready to play each night. Brandon Ingram has not yet reached his full potential but seems to be coming along and ready to burst on the scene at a moment’s notice. Kyle Kuzma continues to improve and might be LeBron’s wing man at the moment, as he has echoed the same competitive drive to win and perform in the biggest of moments. JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson have given the Lakers spark plugs and energy on a nightly basis that has been needed in key situations. This type of resilience shown by the team, to not get caught in the hype and commotion, will serve this team well down the stretch and continues to give hope to Laker fans around So Cal.
What else is new? LeBron James has been up to his usual MVP ways once again this season.
At 7-6, it’s very hard to say that this team is “back”. But after several years of little hope for this glorious franchise, it’s easy for fans to see this season as a step forward towards the glory days. Long gone are the days of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, or Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Yet, this season provides a new hope for Lakers fans led by one of the greatest, if not the greatest, player of all time in LeBron James. If James, like so many Lakers prior, can turn this team around and lead them to a championship over the dominant Warriors, or even the up and coming, yet still hated, Boston Celtics, he will find himself immortalized in purple and gold forever. And who knows how this season and this offseason will play out. Anthony Davis could decide to want to rebuild with the Pelicans and attempt to bring on a new superstar for him to play with in New Orleans. Or Kawhi Leonard could wind up leading the Toronto Raptors to their first ever Finals appearance and staying with the organization. Many players around the league have taken money or comfortability over winning, but it has never been part of the Laker brand to sit back and settle for less. As Bryant once said during his 20 year tenure in LA, “Friends come and go, but banners hang forever.” Whatever happens in the future regarding players outside of the Laker roster is unknown. But right now, led by James with a young cast and big plays by experienced vets, there is a new hope to return to the promised land in hopes of a 17th NBA title in Los Angeles.