I very much agree that window.

Flip a coin.

LAKERS AWARD BIAS ISN’T JUST REAL — IT’S ON FULL DISPLAY THIS SEASON.

Let’s lay it out plainly:

– Projected win total: 46.5
– ESPN’s own model: 36 wins
– Actual record: 48–26… and climbing
– Top‑5 record in the entire NBA
– JJ Redick: not even top 9 in Coach of the Year odds
– Luka Doncic: 34/8/8 and somehow 4th in MVP race

If this isn’t bias, what is?

JJ Redick walked into a situation everyone said was doomed. “The Big 3 can’t fit.” “They’ll be a play‑in team.” “The roster doesn’t make sense.” Every talking head had their punchline ready.

And yet here we are — the Lakers are not just winning, they’re thriving. They’re disciplined, connected, defending, sharing the ball, and playing with a belief that wasn’t there a few months ago. That doesn’t happen by accident. That’s coaching. That’s leadership. That’s culture.

JJ didn’t inherit a perfect roster — he built a system. He empowered role players. He unlocked Luka and LeBron together. He stabilized the rotation. He turned noise into fuel. And now the Lakers might finish with 55 wins, something not a single national outlet predicted.

But somehow… he’s not a Coach of the Year frontrunner?

Come on.

And Luka — what more does the man have to do? He’s putting up video‑game numbers while carrying the emotional and strategic load of a franchise that completely reinvented itself midseason. Remove him from this team and the Lakers aren’t sniffing the top 5. That’s the definition of value.

So let’s be honest, basketball fans — not biased, not narrative‑driven, not agenda‑pushed. Just honest.

Who has been more valuable to their team than Luka Doncic this season?
Who has done more with less preseason respect than JJ Redick?
Who has flipped a franchise’s trajectory more dramatically than this Lakers group?

The answer is obvious to anyone actually watching the games.

The Lakers didn’t just exceed expectations — they obliterated them.
And the people responsible deserve recognition, not excuses.

This season is proving something powerful:
When the Lakers are great, the bar gets moved.
When others are great, the bar gets lowered.

But greatness speaks for itself.
And right now, the Lakers are speaking loudly.

JAXSON HAYES TURNING INTO SHOT BLOCKER!Last 1: 10.0/8.0/1.0 + 0.0 stl & 5.0 blk in 26.1 mpgLast 5: 11.2/6.6/0/8 + 0.8 stl & 3.2 blk in 24.1 mpgLast 10: 7.8/5.0/0.6 + 0.8 stl & 2.1 blk in 20.8 mpgLast 16: 8.1/4.9/0.8 + 0.6 stl & 1.4 blk in 20.5 mpgFirst 58: 6.8/3.9/0.9 +… https://t.co/ASxgoLGABX pic.twitter.com/v0zyzwakYZ— LakerTom (@LakerTom) March 29, 2026

Great post, Tom!

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Jaxson Hayes is making the Lakers look genius.

The Los Angeles Lakers are watching Jaxson Hayes become the ideal big man to pair with Luka Doncic, and it cost the franchise nothing to acquire him because he was already on their roster. Number 77 wanted a rim protector and a lob threat from the moment he arrived in LA. The Lakers tried to trade for Mark Williams, but a failed physical nixed the deal. Fans have questioned Ayton’s fit all season, but Hayes is becoming the ideal partner.

The Lakers have won 14 of their last 16 games and look like a serious title threat. Luka is playing like the MVP, and Hayes is having his own mini breakout during that stretch. The seven-footer averaged 8.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 20.6 minutes per game. He has given head coach JJ Redick an option if Ayton is struggling, and fans know Hayes will finish everything Doncic and the Lakers lob up.

Hayes is becoming a trusted option at the five. He has blocked a shot in six straight games and is shooting 75 percent from the field over that stretch. The Lakers nearly gave up two first-round draft picks for Mark Williams when a strong option was already on their bench, just awaiting his opportunity.

Lakers look genius as Jaxson Hayes quietly becomes Luka Doncic’s ideal partner

Hayes came to Los Angeles in 2023 and has made just over $8 million total in three seasons. The former eighth overall draft pick flamed out in New Orleans and got a fresh start with the Lakers. Nobody knew he would be catching lobs from Luka and trying to play for the Slovenian National Team. The Lakers wanted a backup big with potential, and Hayes is finally fully realizing it.

Fans know Luka is at his best with a true center on the floor. He had Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford during the Mavericks’ NBA Finals run in 2024. Ayton is slowly buying into his role, but he still struggles to consistently attack the rim. Hayes doesn’t have that problem.

Between Ayton and Hayes, the Lakers are getting 48 minutes of quality play at the five. They must keep it up throughout the playoffs if LA wants to make a deep run. Coach Redick has the defense locked in and should be trying to maximize the production of his three stars as the postseason approaches. Everybody has to work together, and Hayes is quickly become an X-factor.

Fans may point to Hayes’ lack of rebounds as a concern, but the Lakers have Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reaves to gobble up boards. The Lakers are picking up the slack for the big man’s weakness, which is a welcome sight.

The Los Angeles Lakers have the perfect big man to pair with Luka Doncic on their roster. Jaxson Hayes has been fantastic and keeps getting better. The Lakers look smart for the rescinded Mark Williams trade and not panicking. Hayes is making that faith pay off, and fans will have to stay tuned to see what’s next from the 25-year-old big man.

That was a chicken shit call by the ref. Should not have been a foul but the Lakers don’t need Luka to beat Wizards and this would give him a needed game off plus it will now take 2 fouls to cost him another game suspension. Smart move to accept technical now.