NFL
By: Chris Jordan
What’s next for the Los Angles Lakers?
Devin Booker came out like a man on a mission last night as the Phoenix Suns beat the defending champions Lakers 113-100.
Booker scored 22 of his 47 points in the first quarter. Booker was phenomenal for his team and set the tone from the jump.
The Suns won their first playoff series since 2010, Booker beat LeBron James who has never lost a playoff series in the first round. James had a 14-0 record in the round until last night.
Booker has a tattoo on his forearm of the message that Kobe Bryant wrote for him on a pair of shoes after they faced each other at Staples Center six years ago: ” Be legendary.”
Booker was legendary. He was the best player on the court as the Suns eliminated the Lakers.
After hitting eight 3- pointers, grabbing 11 rebounds while shooting 15 for 22 from the field, Booker cast his eyes up at Bryant’s two retried jerseys as he left the floor amid the cheers from a small, vocal road rooting section.
” Honestly, I was thinking about Kobe and the conversations we had,” Booker said. ” About what we went through, and the postseason, and being legendary and taking the steps to get there.
Booker got some help from his teammate Jae Crowder who had 18 points. Crowder shot 6 for 9 from 3- point range and eight rebounds.
Chris Paul finished the game with eight points and 12 assists for the Suns. Paul showed get leadership and poys as the Lakers we’re trying to make a final push in the fourth quarter.
Paul can actually say that he and his Suns beat a LeBron James-led team in the first round. Something that has never happened in LeBron’s legendary career.
What’s next for the Lakers?
Great as LeBron James has been throughout his career he is still 36 years old and father time is undefeated. For the past 2 out of 3 seasons, James has missed some time due to injury.
Seeing LeBron in these playoffs. He wasn’t the same LeBron that we’re accustomed to watching.
James was battling a high-ankle sprain that sidelined him for almost 30 games this season, and it looked like it affected him this playoff run against the Suns.
James only averaged 23.3 points, eight assists, 7.2 rebounds this postseason.
Anthony Davis was also battling injuries all season. Davis left the game as he reaggravated his sprain groin and he never returned.
Anthony Davis, biggest problem is that he can’t stay healthy, and spends more time on the sideline than on the court.
Davis gets hurt too much for someone who is 28 years old.
Is Davis someone who can carry the load, and be the number option one on a championship team?
We have yet to see that because his durability has always been a question mark since he was playing for the New Orleans Pelicans?
The Laker’s biggest issue is their supporting cast, and what’s the next move they should make.
Should the Lakers trade for another star?
The Lakers need another player who can create his own shot and someone who can help LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Kyle Kuzma, Kentavoius Caldwell-Pope, Mac Gasol, Westly Matthews, Dennis Schroder, and other players on their roster did not play their best when it was needed.
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The Lakers will have all summer to regroup and see what direction they want to go in.
Who should the Lakers trade this off-season if they want to contend for a championship next season?
Should they make a move to get Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal?
James will be turning 37 years old in December this year and he’ll be in his 19th season.
The Lakers need to make a big splash this summer.
