LeBron's Still Got It, But the Lakers' Streak is About More Than Just the King

Nine wins in a row. For a team that looked dead in the water a few weeks ago, that's almost unbelievable. The Lakers, who were 2-10 on November 11th, now sit at 11-10, clawing their way back into the Western Conference playoff picture. And yeah, LeBron James is still doing LeBron James things, averaging 26.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists over this stretch. But to say it's just him is missing the point. This isn't just a "LeBron carries" narrative, not entirely anyway.

Real talk: the defense has been the biggest difference. During that horrific start, the Lakers were giving up points like it was a charity event. They ranked 28th in defensive rating through the first 12 games. Over these nine wins? They're top-5. They held the Kings to 101 points on November 18th and then locked down the Suns to 95 just two days later. Anthony Davis, when he's healthy and engaged, is a DPOY candidate, and he's been just that. He's averaging 2.4 blocks and 1.3 steals over the streak. He's back to being a monster in the paint, forcing teams to shoot over him or live with contested looks.

**The Role Players Stepping Up**

Here's the thing: you can't win nine straight in the NBA with just two stars. The supporting cast has finally started to click. Lonnie Walker IV has been a revelation, consistently hitting big shots and playing with a confidence we haven't seen before. He dropped 26 points against the Pistons on November 28th, including some crucial buckets down the stretch. Austin Reaves has been a steady hand, a guy who just makes winning plays, whether it's a timely assist or a hustle rebound. He's not flashy, but he's dependable.

And Patrick Beverley. Look, the guy's not putting up huge numbers, but his impact goes beyond the box score. He's a pest. He gets under opponents' skin. He's holding opposing point guards to lower shooting percentages. Against the Jazz on November 26th, he only had 8 points, but he hounded Mike Conley all night, disrupting their offensive flow. That kind of veteran presence, that willingness to do the dirty work, it's contagious. It raises the intensity for everyone else on the floor.

But here's my hot take: this streak is a mirage if they don't solve their three-point shooting. They're still one of the worst shooting teams in the league, even during this winning run, hovering around 32% from deep. They won a close one against the Spurs 105-103 on November 23rd despite shooting just 28% from three. Eventually, those bricked open looks are going to catch up to them, especially against better competition. You can't rely solely on AD getting 30 points and 15 boards every single night.

This Laker team has found a rhythm, no doubt. They're playing with more urgency, more cohesion. They're defending with a purpose. They're getting contributions from unexpected places. But the long-term sustainability of this run will hinge on whether they can find some consistent outside shooting. Without it, the good times won't last.

My prediction? They make it ten in a row against the Pacers at home on Monday, but the shooting woes will resurface in their next road trip, leading to a couple of ugly losses.