Lakers 2022-23 Season Recap
Taking a look back on a season that has been a wild rollercoaster for fans and the world of the NBA
From starting the season with a record of 2-10, a huge trade deadline and going to the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers season has been quite the show for Laker fans. We take a look back at a season that is sure to be remembered by many fans as a huge turnaround for this Lakers organization.
A rough beginning
When the 2022–23 season began for the Los Angeles Lakers, many fans were concerned with how the season was going to turn out. The team still had Russell Westbrook, who almost got traded before training camp started. Many were concerned if he was going to improve at all after the aftermath of the previous season and were questioning if he was going to start or come off the bench.
The Lakers’ roster was also very questionable due to being very guard-heavy and not having enough wing depth. Due to their lack of size, the Lakers struggled on the defensive end of the court.
The Lakers would go on to start the season with a 2-10 record. Many people did not expect to say this heading into the season, but the 2-10 start to the season also ties for the worst start in the history of the franchise. They also lacked three-point shooting, as they shot less than 30% at the very beginning of the season.
Eventually, head coach Darvin Ham convinced Russell Westbrook to come off the bench and it really benefited the Lakers a lot but it would not last long as Westbrook would still make questionable shots and would be disappointing on defense.
Anthony Davis dominance and injuries
At the beginning of the season, Anthony Davis said one of his goals was to play all 82 games. Unfortunately, Davis was not able to achieve that goal as he only played 56 games.
When Davis was playing, he was dominant on both ends of the court. Davis then proceeded on a run of complete dominance. Without Davis' impact on both sides of the court, it is difficult to envision this Lakers team succeeding without his presence.
It was going well for both Davis and LeBron James until the two suffered several injuries and missed significant time this season. The worst was when James suffered a right foot injury late in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks.
Trade deadline success
It was safe to say that many Lakers fans were waiting to see what GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss would do to improve this roster after many reports said that the front office was waiting until after December 15th to start exploring trades that could upgrade their roster. The team was headed in the wrong direction at this time and was hoping for moves to make it better.
The first came along with the addition of Rui Hachimura, and fans were happy to see a trade happen. He was a great addition to the team and a really helpful backup for LeBron James whenever he needed to sit on the bench.
Then one of the biggest trades of the season happened, involving trades for D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley. Russell Westbrook was a part of that trade to the Utah Jazz, who would eventually be bought out of Utah and then sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers would go on to have the best record in the Western Conference after the All-Star break, at 15-7. They would secure their spot in the play-in tournament against the Minnesota Timberwolves and beat them in overtime to secure the 7th spot in the playoffs, where they would go up against the Memphis Grizzlies.
A wild playoff run
Memphis Grizzlies
The Lakers were right back where they belong, in the playoffs. They would go up against a young Memphis Grizzlies team that has yet to prove if they have enough playoff experience to win an NBA championship. However, that all changed when Dillon Brooks “poked the bear” when he told reporters about playing against LeBron James, “I don’t care. He’s old. […] I poke bears. I don’t respect someone until he gives me 40.”
Memphis would fall apart and lose the series in six games, which caused a domino effect on the team. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura would be huge factors in each win and would start overcoming expectations.
Golden State Warriors
Going up against the defending champions was not going to be an easy task, and the stage was set for another classic LeBron James and Steph Curry matchup in the playoffs. Plus, the Lakers and Warriors have not faced off in a postseason series since 1991, and fans were ready for a highly anticipated matchup.
This series was tough for the Los Angeles Lakers; Anthony Davis had inconsistent nights scoring, the defense would leave the Warriors open from beyond the arc a lot and the officiating was very questionable. However, the Lakers would be able to push through the Warriors in six games and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Denver Nuggets
A 2020 bubble rematch was set, and this matchup was no joke. This was the Lakers’ true test to see if they were capable of winning a championship. The Nuggets' superb collaboration, powerful offense, and gritty defense were on display throughout the series, and the Lakers were no match. The Lakers would get swept against Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, who put on a show.
Final Thoughts
There was a lot of anticipation for the 2022–23 Lakers season, and there were numerous noteworthy storylines. The Lakers face a crucial summer, and devoted fans are anticipating the team's renewed efforts and a probable return to championship glory with bated breath.