Why the Lakers' depth is as vital as LeBron James and Anthony Davis

When you consider the Lakers, you think of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. When you think about the Lakers' star power, of their glamour and appeal and star, you consider James and Davis. When you consider rebounds and points and assists, you consider James and Davis, too.

But when you think of the Lakers as a possible champion contender, you need to think beyond James and Davis. You should consider their depth beyond their 2 super stars if you are to think they can make a deep run in the upcoming playoffs, emerging as something more than simply a play-in group.

The Lakers' victory Friday over the Phoenix Suns' reserve team in their second-to-last regular-season video game provided a look of what's possible and what's needed if they are to endure beyond the play-in competition. The Lakers showcased their scoring, playmaking and rebounding depth.

On a night in which James and Davis were combating the grind of the NBA season and foot injuries, the Lakers' supporting cast stepped up and stimulated a triumph over the Suns. Phoenix, having actually clinched fourth in the Western Conference playoff seedings, rested its leading 4 players.

The Lakers had no such high-end, fighting through Friday's penultimate video game in advance of Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Utah Jazz in an attempt to move from their current station as a play-in team in seventh place in the conference. They needed all the assistance they could get beyond James and Davis.

They got it, too.

D'Angelo Russell scored a team-leading 24 points, consisting of 9 on 3-for-3 shooting from 3-point range in the pivotal fourth quarter as the Lakers overcame dull scoring from James and Davis. Austin Reeves had 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting. Malik Beasley had 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting.

At video game's end, Lakers coach Darvin Ham provided credit where it was due.

" It was huge," he said. "It's big for those men to be able to carry the load and make some shots and have their own various sections throughout the video game. Big, guy. The more pressure we can take off Bron and A.D to need to go out and save the day or make every play, the better.

" When they can just play workable minutes and those other guys step up and play well, it just makes us that a lot more hazardous. And it saves some gas for our 2 huge pet dogs."

As an included benefit, the Lakers got efficient play from backup Rui Hachimura, who had 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Hachimura was one of six gamers to score 10 points or more, joining Russell, Reaves, Beasley, James (16 points on 6-for-19 shooting) and Davis (14 points plus a team-leading 21 rebounds).

Hachimura, noted at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, might show to be something of an X-factor in upcoming video games. He's averaging 11.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 62 video games this season, but 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 32 video games considering that the Lakers obtained him from the Washington Wizards.

" I believe when Rui comes out with the right frame of mind to be aggressive and to be physical and energetic, he's one of the much better players at that position in the league," Ham stated. "A man that can play little forward, a person that can play power forward, and even a small-ball five (center). He has fantastic hands, fantastic athleticism, he's strong, he's quickly, he's fast and simply him playing with a sense of seriousness. I think the more comfy he's gotten, you can see it equate to his play.

" And the men are motivating him to be aggressive, whether it's in shift, or we're calling his number, or whether it's off the ball and he's getting the catch and slashing and finish, or slashing in for an offending rebound. A few of the blocks that he had a few nights ago in Houston were absolutely nothing except incredible. Every time he plays with a sense of seriousness and brings that energy, he's great to go."

It could be just what the Lakers require for the playoffs.