Mad Dog says Stephen A. is TOO OPTIMISTIC about the Lakers! ‘They won ONE playoff game’ | First Take

Let’s go to the association because last night we saw the King take the floor for the first time in what is a record 23rd season in the NBA. LeBron James had 11 points 12 dimes, three boards and 30 minutes of work. And the Lakers scored 140 points, beating the Jazz by 14. Luca did his thing, scoring 37, and the Lakers have now won four out of their last five. They are 11 and four on the season. Here’s the King after the game last night. My biggest challenge this season, I don’t know, just just staying in the moment. Um, just staying in the moment. Obviously, you know, at where I’m at in my career and where I’m at, um, you know, year 23 and understanding that, um, you know, there’s not many more games for me. Don’t know when that is, but, you know, standing in the moment, just appreciating the opportunity to go out and play the game I love to play and be around a great group. I can fit in with anybody. I don’t even understand why that was even a question. What’s wrong with these people out here? I can I can fit in right away in with anybody. All right, we’re laughing now after the game, which I like to see from LeBron cuz he looked a little tense beforehand when he was asked the same question. Stephen A, what is the ceiling for the Lakers with a healthy LeBron? Conference Finals. I can’t say anything above that because the Oklahoma City Thunder are real. Shea Butter, Shay Gilas Alexander is real. They’re the best team in basketball and Jaylen Williams wasn’t even playing. I mean, this is what we’re talking about when we’re talking about the Oklahoma City Thunder. Okay, we can’t ignore that their defense is elite. We know what they bring to the table. And ain’t nobody stopping Shay Butter, who by the way, we was talking about Luca and we were talking about when uh but Shay Gil just was still averaging 32. Let’s just just put that in perspective. It was still averaging 32. the reigning defending NBA champion, NBA Finals MVP, and league MVP, quietly having the best record in basketball while still averaging 32 a game. That’s who we talking about when we talk about Oklahoma City. Okay? Can’t put anybody above them. But outside of that, I don’t see anyone that the Lakers can’t beat if LeBron James is ready. And let’s be very, very clear, this is his first game he’s played, high school, college, pros. The man never missed an no basketball season has ever started without LeBron James. He’s never missed an opener. All right. So, this is the first time first year that has happened. 23rd season be 41 years of age next month. Comes out on a basketball court. We’re talking about 11 points. He only shot the ball seven times. He made four shots. He only took three three uh three three-pointers. He made two of them. And he led everybody an assist. The man knows basketball. He’s a savant. And so when you look at it from that standpoint in terms of looking at the Lakers and knowing what they’re doing, and I’m gonna say this to you too, JJ Reic and that staff, they know what they’re doing, y’all. They know what they’re doing. And LeBron will figure it out. I think the Lakers, the ceiling could beat the conference finals. Well, listen, Stevie, they won one playoff game last year. One. That’s it. In Minnesota, young coach, he’d be better. Donic better. I’ll give you that. the center is the only addition. So now you have them going from one playoff win to the conference final in a very difficult conference with better teams because Houston got Durant. So that’s a little too optimistic as far as I’m concerned. I’m not I’m I’m not concerned about the optimism. Stephen A. I agree with you and I think look the 12 assists was the the the the highlight of the night because we had this conversation a couple weeks ago about how LeBron would fit in and I I he understands how to play with with multiple types of players. He went to Miami with DW and Chris Bosch and fed in fit in and became the main guy but ultimately was still able to facilitate. the dude game is limitless when you start talking about how he needs to play in order to win basketball games. And I agree with you. The only catch 22 for me is his year 203 and you you hope that health and sustainability is still a part of it. And we know he’s been in great shape his entire career. I think the only thing that can derail this team from having a shot at the conference finals is if they lose significant time with one of these stars. And remember Luca Donis, who when y’all corrected me so clearly, Luca Donis was on the Mavs team that beat the OKC Thunder, albeit in the beginning stages of them being this good as a basketball team. I think Luca is a significant difference. Austin Reeves and with Aiden on the on the front line, this team is formidable enough to make a conference final with the best player to ever play. Shay Shay Swagoo, just as an aside, I know we got to go. Oklahoma City is 14- one on a six-game winning streak. Just wanted to throw that out there. Why everybody else doing what they doing? We ain’t paying no attention. We ain’t paying no attention to Oklahoma City, who are the reigning defending NBA champions and they’re 14 and one. I’m just saying. Must be something about the name. I don’t know. I don’t know. Uh I agree with Seventh time. Seventh time in 23 years that he’s had more assists than points. LeBron knows what he’s doing. Uh, it was impressive to watch last night.

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Marcus “Swagu” Spears join Shae Cornette to discuss LeBron James’ season debut and debate what the Lakers’ ceiling is this season.

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