We’re well into the second half of the NBA season. Teams have played at least 41 of their 82 regular-season games, the All-Star Game starters have been announced, and we even know which jerseys have been the best-selling of the season so far. At this point, each conference has its clear leaders, both on track to have their best regular seasons in terms of wins. In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-8) have been dominant despite suffering back-to-back losses for the second time this season. Meanwhile, in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder (36-8) have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the frontrunner for the MVP award.
In this second half of the season, every game matters because of the remarkable parity in both conferences, something rarely seen in NBA history. In the East, the 4th through 9th seeds are separated by only four games, while in the West, it’s a similar story with only four games separating the 5th through 12th seeds. With just over 10 days until the February 6 trade deadline, many teams are likely to make moves to bolster their playoff chances.
Bronny James’ Career Night
As you know, the Lakers are one of those teams that could benefit from a roster upgrade. While they’ve been solid, their depth could become an issue if either Anthony Davis or LeBron James were to get injured. After a strong start, rookie Dalton Knecht has seen his production drop off. On the other hand, Bronny James just had the best game of his basketball career, including his brief college stint and first few months as a pro. The son of LeBron scored 31 points, shooting 10/22 from the field and 5/11 from three-point range to lead his team to a 122-110 victory over the Rip City Remix.
Say what you will about Bronny, but his improvement is undeniable. While it was clear that he wasn’t ready to play in the NBA, that’s what the G-League is for: developing talented players with high potential. In the G-League, Bronny is averaging 23 points, 4.7 assists and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 45.8% from beyond the arc. Not only that, but in the games he’s played, the South Bay Lakers are +16 with him on the court (he’s been a positive in every game) and -19 when he’s on the bench. This performance is undoubtedly a massive confidence boost for Bronny, allowing him to play his best game despite all the criticism he has faced. However, this will likely define his entire career – constant criticism and comparisons to the King, LeBron James.
Last January Games for the Lakers
It’s good for the Lakers to see Bronny have this kind of performance, because if they don’t make a change before the trade deadline, he’ll be used more as the season progresses. For now, the Lakers are riding high after their best win of the season, a dominant 117-96 victory over the rival and still champion Boston Celtics. To close out January, the Lakers face an “easy” stretch. First, they have their toughest game on paper against Steph Curry and the Warriors in what has become a must-see matchup, followed by a game against LaMelo Ball and the Hornets. They then face the struggling Sixers and finish the month against the league-worst Wizards, the only team in the Association with less than ten wins. All eyes will be on the Lakers and Bronny to see if the father-son duo can turn their dreams into reality.
