By James Mario Ajero
A rekindling of one of the greatest NBA rivalries is exactly what the league needs in the aftermath of arguably the most stunning trade deal in basketball history.
With Slovenian star Luka Doncic averaging 26 points since joining Los Angeles early in February, it has become clear to both fans and pundits that only a handful of teams can truly challenge the revamped Lakers (40-22) in the regular season.
At full strength, the Lakers enjoy the services of a 40-year-old LeBron James, who recently surpassed Kareem Abdul Jabar, another Laker legend, to break the 50,000 mark in regular season points – the only player to ever do so in the history of the NBA.
In his 21st season, James is collecting an average of 27.6 points per game.
Offensive versatility
James’ masterful grasp of the court, coupled with Doncic’s unparalleled scoring dynamism, give the Lakers the offensive versatility that few teams can match.
The Lakers’ supporting cast was no slouch either as Jaxson Hayes and Trey Jemison III were given their chance to shoulder the frontcourt duties of the team.
On the defensive end, wingmen Jarred Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith have helped the Lakers acquire a 112.7 defensive rating, the fifth-best in the NBA, according to league stats.
Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and rookie Dalton Knecht, meanwhile, have also proven themselves as reliable scorers, especially when James and Doncic are resting on the bench.
Finally, JJ Redick becoming head coach has worked wonders for the Lakers, as evident with them snatching the No.2 seed in the Western Conference.
Even before the Doncic-Davis trade, the Lakers made headway in their defensive performance.
READ MORE: Liverpool news: Arne Slot bemoans ‘unfair’ CL exit; turns focus to Carabao Cup final
Magic vs Bird
Though popular, the Lakers’ brand is almost synonymous with another NBA team, the Boston Celtics, their arch enemy during the Magic-Bird era.
Before Michael Jordan, the West-East coast feud between Magic’s Lakers and Bird’s Celtics gave birth to the memorable ’84, ’85, and ’87 NBA finals, with the Celtics winning the first while the Lakers took the succeeding series.
Boston’s pride
In the modern era, it is Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who are continuing the Celtics’ championship culture and legacy.
By helping Boston win its 18th championship ring – the most in NBA history, Tatum and Brown cemented their place among the very best ever to wear the Celtics jersey.
With Tatum and Brown averaging 27.2 and 23.3 points, respectively, this Boston duo undoubtedly belong among the most elite in the East.
Combined with a capable big man in Kristaps Porzingis, veteran Al Horford, and a pack of hungry wolves in Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Payton Prichard, the Celtics have a solid player in every position.
Cavaliers on the rise
While the Celtics’ 111-101 whipping of the Lakers last Saturday could be the reignition of an NBA rivalry anew, Boston’s stranglehold on the Eastern Conference is not as secure as one may expect.
Though the defending champions seem in a good pace for a back-to-back, they are still eight games behind the first-seed Cleveland Cavaliers (54-10).
The Cavaliers marked their 14th consecutive victory with a 112-100 domination of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Depth is the key to Cleveland’s recent successes, according to coach Kenny Atkinson, who also praised Donovan Mitchell’s remarkable offensive talent.
At 38.8%, Mitchell is in his career-best three-point shooting performance, The Associated Press reported.
Aside from Mitchell, the Cavaliers boast a strong arsenal in Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, Darius Garland, Jarret Allen, and Deandre Hunter.
READ NEXT: Earth’s biggest iceberg drifts in shallow waters of South Georgia
SportJustSport writers