Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the one guy who could make the difference for the Lakers in the playoffs

The NBA playoffs are where legends are made, and every team hopes to have that one player who rises above the rest when the lights shine the brightest. As the 2024 playoffs approach, all eyes are on two of the biggest stars in the league: Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. Both players are capable of taking over games, but for the Lakers to make a deep run, there’s one guy on their roster who could be the key to their success.

Luka Dončić has established himself as one of the most dynamic players in the NBA. The young guard from Slovenia is already a two-time All-Star and has shown the ability to carry his team in big moments. LeBron James, on the other hand, is the living legend of the NBA, having done it all—from MVPs to championships to clutch playoff performances that have defined his career. But while LeBron and Luka will be the center of attention for their respective teams, there’s another player whose impact might be more significant than anyone expects: Anthony Davis.

Luka Dončić: The Lone Star Who Could Shake Up the West

Luka Dončić is the centerpiece of the Dallas Mavericks and has been since he entered the league in 2018. At just 25 years old, Dončić has already established himself as one of the most gifted and versatile players in the NBA. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ makes him a matchup nightmare for any defender, and his ability to take over a game is unmatched. Whether it’s a clutch shot or an incredible assist, Dončić has a knack for delivering in high-pressure moments.

This season, Luka’s numbers speak for themselves. He’s averaging 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists per game, while carrying the Mavericks on his back throughout the regular season. However, despite his individual brilliance, the Mavericks have struggled to build a consistent team around him. The acquisition of Kyrie Irving has provided Dončić with another star to share the load, but their fit on the court is still evolving. The Mavericks’ playoff success hinges on how well their duo can mesh and how Dončić can elevate his teammates when the stakes are highest.

While the Mavericks are a team that thrives on Dončić’s ability to dominate the ball and control the tempo, they still lack the depth and supporting cast that teams like the Lakers have. However, Luka’s ability to create his own shot, facilitate for teammates, and play in crunch time makes him one of the most dangerous players in the league. A first-round matchup with the Lakers could be a thrilling spectacle, with Luka and LeBron each carrying their teams in the hopes of making a deep playoff run.

LeBron James: The Ultimate Playoff Performer

LeBron James is, without question, one of the greatest players in NBA history. His combination of size, skill, and leadership has allowed him to excel in every phase of the game. Whether it’s scoring, passing, rebounding, or defending, LeBron has done it all. But it’s his ability to perform under pressure in the playoffs that has solidified his legacy as one of the greatest postseason performers of all time.

LeBron has led his teams to the NBA Finals an incredible 10 times and has won four championships in the process. His playoff résumé is unmatched, and his clutch gene is well-documented. From his iconic 2016 Finals performance to his dominant 2020 Finals run with the Lakers, LeBron has proven that he’s not just a regular-season player—he is built for the postseason.

In the 2024 season, LeBron has continued to defy Father Time. At 40 years old, he remains one of the most dominant players in the league. He’s averaging 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game, continuing to be the driving force for the Lakers. But as great as LeBron is, his team needs more than just his individual brilliance to make a deep run in the playoffs. That’s where Anthony Davis comes in.

Anthony Davis: The X-Factor for the Lakers

While LeBron James will always be the face of the Lakers, Anthony Davis is the player who has the potential to tip the scales for the Lakers in the postseason. Davis is one of the most talented big men in the NBA, capable of both dominating offensively and providing elite defense. When healthy, Davis is a two-way force who can control the game on both ends of the floor. His ability to alter shots, protect the rim, and switch defensively makes him one of the best defenders in the league. Offensively, his versatility allows him to score in a variety of ways, from post-ups to mid-range jumpers to rolling to the basket.

The problem for Davis, however, has always been his health. When Davis is on the floor, he’s one of the best players in the world. But he’s had a history of injuries that have limited his impact at times. If Davis can stay healthy during the playoffs, he could be the key to the Lakers’ success. He provides a level of shot-blocking, rebounding, and scoring that could complement LeBron’s playmaking ability and give the Lakers an edge in a playoff series.

Davis has already shown that he can take over a playoff series, as evidenced by his dominant performances in the 2020 Finals. If Davis can play at that level again, the Lakers will have the firepower needed to go toe-to-toe with teams like the Mavericks or the top teams in the Western Conference.

The Lakers’ Path to Success

For the Lakers, the road to another NBA Finals will likely run through the Western Conference, where they will face stiff competition from teams like the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns. However, the Lakers’ potential to make a deep playoff run hinges on the performance of their supporting cast around LeBron and Davis.

While LeBron and Davis are the cornerstones of the Lakers, role players like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura will be key to the Lakers’ playoff success. The ability of these players to step up and make plays when needed will determine whether the Lakers can go far in the postseason.

But even with these players contributing, Davis’ health and performance will likely determine how far the Lakers can go. If Davis can play at an elite level and stay healthy, the Lakers will be a legitimate title contender. His ability to impact both ends of the floor is what gives the Lakers a chance to knock off teams like the Mavericks and potentially make a deep run.

The Matchup: Mavericks vs. Lakers

In a playoff series between the Mavericks and Lakers, there would be plenty of intrigue. Luka Dončić vs. LeBron James would be the marquee matchup, and it would be a thrilling battle of two of the league’s brightest stars. But it’s the supporting players and the potential for Anthony Davis to make a difference that could determine the outcome of the series.

If Davis can dominate in the paint and protect the rim, it would force Luka and Kyrie to become more perimeter-oriented, which plays into the Lakers’ strengths. Meanwhile, if Luka can create opportunities for his teammates and carry the Mavericks offensively, it will put tremendous pressure on LeBron and Davis to keep up.

The key to this series could ultimately come down to Anthony Davis’ ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level. While LeBron is undoubtedly the leader and Luka the rising star, Davis is the player who could swing the momentum and be the difference-maker in a tight series.

 The Lakers’ Path to Glory

As the playoffs approach, the storylines surrounding Luka Dončić and LeBron James will dominate the narrative. Both are elite players capable of leading their teams to greatness. However, for the Los Angeles Lakers, the one player who could make all the difference is Anthony Davis. If Davis stays healthy and plays up to his potential, the Lakers have the pieces necessary to make a deep playoff run, challenge the top teams in the Western Conference, and ultimately compete for another championship.

In the high-stakes environment of the NBA playoffs, having a superstar like LeBron James is invaluable, but having a healthy, dominant Anthony Davis could be the secret weapon the Lakers need to rise above the competition. It’s a long road to the Finals, but if Davis plays his best basketball, the Lakers just might find themselves holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy once again.