ESPN, Other Media Experts Predicting the Lakers to Stumble This Season. Too Much Negativity?

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a remarkably quiet offseason. This is no secret. And as we finish up transaction season and start taking stock on where teams in the Western Conference (and across the league). Not surprisingly, perhaps, the reviews aren't good. The pundits of ESPN, for example, overwhelmingly picked the Lakers to be "Team Turmoil," i.e. the squad most likely to tumble this season. But why? ESPN cited the lack of movement, and improved Western Conference and (of course) the threat of injury to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They stayed healthy last season but most people don't seem to think the Lakers will get lucky two years in a row. Certainly the team's stars have an injury history, last year notwithstanding. But how much of this is based on reality, and how much is vibes? Certainly the vibes aren't great, but how much does that matter? ESPN wrote that the Lakers face "plenty of questions" on the court. But do they? In a lot of ways, the Lakers are as known a quantity as there is in the league. How much does getting bounced by the Nuggets in consecutive years have to do with it? Doesn't seem to help, at the least. So what does an honest assessment of the Lakers look like right now? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are not faring well in offseason evaluations by NBA experts. SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers really the best candidate for the team most likely to tumble this year? SEGMENT 3: Are we dealing with vibes, or real issues? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com . Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. FanDuel Now through September 22nd, ALL FanDuel customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get a THREE WEEK free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FANDUEL.COM/LOCKEDON t o get started. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.