NBA Roundtable: Can the Lakers flip the switch as playoffs approach?

BetAmerica has teamed up with Covers and Oddschecker to break down the latest news and trends from around the Association. This week NBA columnists Jason Logan, Sam Farley and Ryan Murphy discuss the league’s most improved player, the Lakers disappointing performance in the bubble, and Michael Porter Jr.’s coming out party.

The NBA has announced the finalists for all of its top awards. Who’s your pick for Most Improved Player?

Jason: While Brandon Ingram looked great in the bubble, Luka Doncic is the winner. In two short seasons, Doncic has put himself among the NBA elite and makes Dallas a tempting place for free agents come the brief offseason. That’s huge.   

Sam: For me it has to be Brandon Ingram. Ingram had all of these question marks in L.A., but since the trade he’s really grown. He’s boosted his stats in pretty much every possible metric. 5.6 more points per game, increased rebound percentage, assists, and he’s finally delivering on all the promise he had when he came out.

The thing that really annoys me is Luka Doncic’s inclusion, and I say even as a real fan of his. Doncic was so good last year, and yes, he’s improved, but he should be in the MVP conversation, and not in the running for this award. Doncic was a star from day one, and I feel it goes against the spirit of the prize for him to be a finalist for this award.

Ryan: I tabbed Brandon Ingram earlier in the season, and I’m sticking to my guns. As Sam noted, "Tiny Dog" has increased his scoring, rebounding, and assist totals across the board this season, and he’s done so without sacrificing his efficiency. Ingram is shooting a career-high 39% from beyond the arc and has improved significantly in the paint, where he’s no longer getting crushed by bigger and stronger defenders. The sky’s the limit for the 22-year-old forward, who should be a fixture on NBA All-Star teams for years to come.  

The Lakers are just 2-4 in the bubble. Are they cruising or are they genuinely vulnerable?

Jason: A little of both. They’re absolutely looking ahead to the playoffs and protecting their key players, but if they run into a team that can hit the three and defend it, it’s tough to catchup with only points in the paint. Portland could be a problem should it run into L.A., and that’s coming from a die-hard Lakers fan.

Sam: The Lakers have been a letdown inside the bubble, but when things start to really count in the playoffs, they’ll be fine. The Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks have all been coasting since they arrived in Orlando, with only the Rockets and Raptors looking like serious threats. Come August 17 I think we’ll see a different approach from the Lakers.

Ryan: As a Lakers fan I’m sincerely concerned. Los Angeles was stymied by the Raptors’ defensive intensity in their first game in the bubble and reeled off three straight losses to the Thunder, Rockets, and Pacers. The OKC game was especially troubling as L.A. scored just 86 points on 35% shooting and appeared to be sleepwalking throughout much of the game.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are certainly capable of flipping the switch when the playoffs begins, but my real concern is with the newest members of the Lakers supporting cast. Frank Vogel needs far better production from J.R. Smith, who is averaging just 1.2 points per game, and far better shot selection from Dion Waiters, who is hitting just 16% of his threes. Unless both players kick it up a notch the Lakers could be watching the Finals from home.

You’ve been tasked with starting a new franchise. Who’s your No. 1 pick: T.J. Warren or Michael porter Jr?

Jason: The injury history would worry me when it comes to Porter, but in terms of upside, I believe it’s a higher ceiling for him versus Warren. I was disappointed we didn’t get to see a healthy Porter in college, and am very excited to see him blossoming in the bubble. It’s tough not to think of Durant when you see his size and scoring prowess.  

Sam: I’d take MPJ. His averages have gone through the roof since he become a starter due to injuries. Warren has been exceptional too, but as with a number of these unsung players I’m wondering if there is more to it. Does the lack of fans make shooting that much easier? Is there less pressure with everybody being on campus? As much as I’m enjoying watching both play, I’m slightly skeptical about how they’ll perform when some form of normality resumes.

Ryan: I’ll take T.J. Warren every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Yes, I’m aware that he’s four years older and two inches shorter than Porter, but he’s also a proven commodity. Warren averaged 24.9 points per game in his sophomore season at NC State and has topped 18 points per game in three of his six seasons in the NBA. His recent offensive outbursts have been phenomenal, but the signs were there all along that he would eventually blossom into an elite scorer. Porter, on the other hand, averaged just 6.0 points per game during his first three months in the league and didn’t come close to dropping 30 in a game until last week.

There’s also the matter of Porter’s delicate DNA. The Columbia native missed all but three games of his freshman season at Missouri after suffering a back injury, and sat out the entirety of what would have been his rookie season with the Nuggets. His brother, Jontay, also has a checkered injury history and his sisters, Ciara and Bri, both abandoned their college hoops dreams due to recurring injuries. I’d like to think that Porter will remain injury free for the rest of his career, but the odds are heavily stacked against him.

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