The Lakers, featuring LeBron James and Luka Doncic, need stronger defense and improved 3-point shooting to compete effectively. Can they make a playoff run?
View More
Video Transcript
You just mentioned Luka Doni.
You just mentioned Luka Doni.
He just goes for 51 the other night.
He just goes for 51 the other night.
Are the Lakers starting to do anything here?
Are the Lakers starting to do anything here?
I mean, LeBron comes back.
I mean, LeBron comes back.
He’s been banged up a little bit over the last couple months, obviously for a guy over 40 years of age, right?
He’s been banged up a little bit over the last couple months, obviously for a guy over 40 years of age, right?
Where are the Lakers right now, in your opinion?
Where are the Lakers right now, in your opinion?
I, listen, they are right now tied with the three seed with the Rockets, which is fantastic.
I, listen, they are right now tied with the three seed with the Rockets, which is fantastic.
For me, Big Cells, it’s gonna be about styles make fights.
For me, Big Cells, it’s gonna be about styles make fights.
Last year they played, the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
Last year they played, the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
I told everybody Minnesota was gonna run over them.
I told everybody Minnesota was gonna run over them.
They absolutely did.
They absolutely did.
They gotta be careful.
They gotta be careful.
If they’re, right now, the five seed is Denver.
If they’re, right now, the five seed is Denver.
Who are you taking in a seven-game series?
Who are you taking in a seven-game series?
You taking the Lakers, or you taking obviously the Nuggets?
You taking the Lakers, or you taking obviously the Nuggets?
I know who I’m taking.
I know who I’m taking.
Number six is Minnesota.
Number six is Minnesota.
Who you taking?
Who you taking?
The Lakers, or you taking Minnesota?
The Lakers, or you taking Minnesota?
I’m taking Minnesota.
I’m taking Minnesota.
They gotta hope that Phoenix or one of these teams jumps up or they slide down because at the end of the day, I don’t trust Deandre Ayton as much as I love him, and I don’t think they shoot the ball well enough from three, and they don’t defend enough that I think that they can win a seven-game series regardless of how great Luka Doni is.
They gotta hope that Phoenix or one of these teams jumps up or they slide down because at the end of the day, I don’t trust Deandre Ayton as much as I love him, and I don’t think they shoot the ball well enough from three, and they don’t defend enough that I think that they can win a seven-game series regardless of how great Luka Doni is.
How good do you think the Cavs are?
How good do you think the Cavs are?
The Cavs are gonna be judged by their playoff, lack of success in the past, not Kenny Atkinson, but particularly the players.
The Cavs are gonna be judged by their playoff, lack of success in the past, not Kenny Atkinson, but particularly the players.
I’m not a big fan of that double-barrel back, the big man of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, but to me it’s the Beard.
I’m not a big fan of that double-barrel back, the big man of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, but to me it’s the Beard.
You know that out of Philadelphia, James Harden, who turns into a pumpkin in game seven.
You know that out of Philadelphia, James Harden, who turns into a pumpkin in game seven.
Can he exercise his demons?
Can he exercise his demons?
Same thing with obviously Donovan Mitchell.
Same thing with obviously Donovan Mitchell.
Can the Knicks exercise their demons?
Can the Knicks exercise their demons?
Can Jamie Bickerstaff with Detroit exercise their demons?
Can Jamie Bickerstaff with Detroit exercise their demons?
It’s gonna be fun to watch the East because you can make a case for all of them, and you can make a case that all of them can flounder it up at the end of the day.
It’s gonna be fun to watch the East because you can make a case for all of them, and you can make a case that all of them can flounder it up at the end of the day.
Hey, 20 seconds.
Hey, 20 seconds.
I’m looking at the Magic.
I’m looking at the Magic.
Are they making any kind of noise here at all, or can they do anything?
Are they making any kind of noise here at all, or can they do anything?
I mean, they’re playing some pretty good basketball as of late.
I mean, they’re playing some pretty good basketball as of late.
Or is this just a blimp?
Or is this just a blimp?
No, I was big on the Magic before the season started, and it was all about getting them healthy with Banchero and Wagner.
No, I was big on the Magic before the season started, and it was all about getting them healthy with Banchero and Wagner.
they play elite defense.
they play elite defense.
They defend at a high level.
They defend at a high level.
Desmond Bane’s gotta continue to shoot the ball from three because that’s been their Achilles’ heel.
Desmond Bane’s gotta continue to shoot the ball from three because that’s been their Achilles’ heel.
They’re one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league.
They’re one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league.
They must shoot it well from three, but they can be dangerous in the right matchup
They must shoot it well from three, but they can be dangerous in the right matchup