"Rob Pelinka is the one to blame... He's doing a disservice to LeBron James and Anthony Davis" - Kendrick Perkins asserts LeBron James needs shooters to make a title run, says Lakers are wasting his greatness
Led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers' initial expectations for the season will be to compete for the NBA championship. However, their 123-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors yesterday (October 19) in the season opener has dampened some spirits.
They failed to make the postseason in 2021-2022 and people are starting to feel the situation will repeat itself once again this season.
Former NBA player and current analyst Kendrick Perkins believes the blame lies solely with general manager Rob Pelinka.
During a recent appearance on NBA Today, Perkins stated:
"Rob Pelinka is the one to blame. Nobody else has been giving him advice. Yes, we understand that LeBron James and AD both had a say in bringing in Russell Westbrook, but when it comes down to the supporting cast, this is on Rob Pelinka."
He added:
"If you go back and look at the history of players that LeBron played with, he had shooting on his teams... When I'm looking at this Lakers team, one, they could possibly start off 0-7 or 0-6 in their first couple games, but Rob Pelinka has to get his act together. Right now, he's doing a disservice to LeBron James and Anthony Davis."
With LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook's contracts putting the Lakers above the salary cap, it is easy to see the challenges Pelinka faces in building a title contender. Many of the Lakers' assets have been moved for Davis and Westbrook, and thus far, the trio have not been an on-court fit.
Watch Kendrick Perkins discuss Rob Pelinka's roster construction below (starting at the 1:15 mark):
LeBron James' previous title runs with three-point shooters
LeBron James operates at his best when the paint is cleared and he is surrounded by three-point shooters. During his first title run with the Miami Heat in 2011-2012, teammates Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Mario Chalmers combined to shoot 38.3% from three-point range while knocking down 106 three-pointers. Each player contributed at least 30 three-pointers.
The following season, the trio were joined by Ray Allen, Chris Bosh, and Norris Cole as James' teammates to make at least 15 three-pointers in the postseason. The six players would combine to make 137 three-pointers, shooting 38.4% as a group.
By the time James won his third title in 2015-2016, the game had changed and the three-point shot became much more prominent. His Cleveland Cavaliers teammates Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, and Channing Frye all made at least 25 three-pointers in the postseason. They combined to shoot 44.3% from three-point range while making 188.
With the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019-2020, James had four teammates that cleared the threshold of 20 three-pointers made. Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma, Markieff Morris, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope combined to make 182 triples at a 36.7% clip.
Anthony Davis potential to become MVP
Anthony Davis is easily one of the most talented players in the NBA. The 2019-2020 NBA Champion was selected to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. He has also made eight All-Star teams, four All-NBA teams, and four All-Defensive teams.
While he has finished in the top ten of MVP voting four times, finishing as high as third, an MVP is the only thing missing from Davis' resume. Questions about his durality have led to many underrating Davis, however, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins believes the Los Angeles Lakers' big man will win the MVP in the upcoming season.
"Anthony Davis is a top-five talent right now. ... I got Anthony Davis winning the MVP next season!"
—@KendrickPerkins 👀 https://t.co/DkrSxImbDt
It will always be a challenge for a teammate of LeBron James to win the MVP, as the two will split votes as James and Davis did in 2019-2020, finishing second and sixth, respectively. Davis certainly has the talent to do so, however, provided he stays healthy.