FanPost

Lebron vs LA

Lebron James is a Los Angeles Laker. It’s been two weeks and the news of Lebron James’ departure from Cleveland still feels fresh. A rarity in this microwave social media era. With it still being fairly early in the off-season, the final roster that will surround him is in question. But that’s not the only question. Along with the Lakers position among the other Western Conference juggernauts comes the obligatory: How will this new team - currently constructed - fit around King James?

The Lakers have added three veterans with playoff experience to one of the youngest teams in the NBA. First, we’ll start with Rajon Rondo. One of the more accomplished floor generals the game has seen over the last decade. Now 32, Rondo’s court vision, IQ, and poor free throw shooting has made him one of the premier playmakers in basketball. Coming off of a solid playoff run with the New Orleans Pelicans, he’ll be looking to reach the finals for the first time since losing to Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers in 2010. With this being his fifth team in five years, Rondo should be looking settle in LA as a mentor to a youngster with a similar game.

Next we have Javale McGee, a big man talented as he is boneheaded. A recurring character on NBA TV’s "Shaqtin’ A Fool", a show that exhibits the silliest plays from players throughout the league. For McGee, however, all of that is now left in the past. He has a new identity far removed from his previous one, NBA champion. Not only is he a champion but a player who had a significant role in his team’s success doing so.

Lastly and certainly not least is Lance Stephenson - a skilled finisher with a herky-jerk dribble and a penchant for flashy passes. Stephenson's pairing with Lebron is one of the more surprising moves considering his history with James.

All three of these guys share two important things in common. The first is they all want to win, there's no question there. Rondo and McGee both bring valuable playoff experience to a team where most of the guys have never been. Along with Stephenson and James, they hope to install a winning culture that the young guys can buy into.

The second, and possible more consequential, is that none of them are even average shooters. Over the course of the second half of Lebron's career, he's been surrounded by shooters. Think Ray Allen, Mike Miller, or Kyle Korver. Lebron's attacking style is best complemented by the ability to operate in space with shooters around him. The closest thing he'll have to that is rookie, Svi Mykhailiuk. Mykhailiuk is a 4-year collegiate, an accomplishment becoming less and less common. He is arguably the best shooter in Kansas Jayhawk history. However, he's only one person. The Los Angeles Lakers last year were the second worst three point shooting team in the league. So, if the Lakers want to challenge the Golden State Warriors they'll need more than him taking open threes.