Lakers Believe They Have Chance Against Rockets Despite Outside Expectations

Luke Kennard was the Los Angeles Lakers’ lone commerce deadline acquisition, however he has paid off far more than anybody anticipated.

The Lakers despatched out Gabe Vincent’s expiring deal for Kennard and the sharpshooting guard turned a direct increase for the group offensively. Kennard even excelled in an on-ball role following accidents to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, later saying that he was comfy and never anxious about his effectivity capturing the basketball.

Now, heading into Los Angeles’ playoff collection in opposition to the Houston Rockets, Kennard emphasised the staff nonetheless believes they will win regardless of being undermanned.

“I think I don’t feel much pressure going into this,” Kennard mentioned after Thursday’s follow. “It’s a thing where we still believe in what we have, who we’re going to start the series with out there and I think everyone believes in that and I think you have to have that belief throughout the entire time no matter how this first game goes, or the second game. It’s a long series, that’s why it can go to seven games.

“Like I mentioned, we consider in what we’ve got. I feel being perhaps considerably of an underdog with guys out it type of offers us this sense of freedom to go on the market and simply play exhausting. And once more, we’ll comply with our preparation and our work that we have put in to date. I feel we’re going into it believing that we’ve got an opportunity.”

Record-wise, the Lakers were one of the best teams in the NBA after the All-Star break as they finally gelled together on both ends of the floor. Doncic and Reaves were huge factors in LA’s success, so it’s easy to understand why people from outside the organization are low on the Lakers’ chances or advancing past Houston.

The purple and gold shouldn’t necessarily be counted out, though, as they still have a motivated LeBron James available, plus a solid supporting group headlined by the likes of Kennard.

In the postseason, talent is usually a major determinant when it comes to who wins and advances but the Lakers and Kennard are hoping they can buck the trend.

Luke Kennard describes full-circle moment playing alongside LeBron James

Kennard gets to enjoy playing next to LeBron James, a star he grew up idolizing as he is also from Ohio. Since joining the Lakers, Kennard’s shown great chemistry with James and described the full-circle second as one thing that is been loads of enjoyable.

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