In two days, the Los Angeles Lakers will start their First Round of Playoff campaign against the Denver Nuggets. Even though they had to go through the play-in to get there, Stephen A. Smith is confident that the Purple and Gold would present a strong challenge against the defending champions. As for the personal gains for LeBron James, out of this tournament, Smith believes this could be his opportunity to surpass Michael Jordan’s legacy.
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The media veteran said that if the Lakers defeat the Nuggets, they stand a chance to “win it all” this season. In his opinion, beating the Nuggets would mean that they would beat any other team to get the trophy. While it isn’t going to be a cakewalk, Smith added that the Lakers have so much to gain that they have to pull off something extraordinary to get there.
He said that this year’s win would bring the fifth ring for King James, surpassing MJ on the all-time greats list. He is a well-known MJ fan, however, it could all change this year. On his show ‘First Take’, Smith claimed,
“If LeBron James beats Denver and marches forward to ultimately win another chip, I don’t know how strong my argument is going to be on behalf of Jordan moving forward.”
“If LeBron James & the Lakers beat the defending NBA champion Nuggets, they could win it all… Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time… I don’t know how strong my argument is going to be on behalf of MJ moving forward.”
– Stephen A. Smithpic.twitter.com/H4i9eDbBd4
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 18, 2024
James already has had one of the greatest NBA careers of all time going neck to neck with Jordan for the top spot. If he wins another chip in the 21st season of his career, while carrying the Lakers on his back at 39 years of age, it would be difficult to argue against him being the greatest player ever. However, the team that finished the regular season with a 57-25 record isn’t going to be easy on them.
LeBron James and Co. are equipped for the title shot
Earlier on ‘First Take’, Stephen A. Smith slammed all the naysayers for arguing against the Lakers’ chances of beating the Nuggets. Many fans believe that Denver is a much stronger side, and they will cruise past the LA franchise.
However, Smith countered them saying,
“A lot of people ready to wave ‘bye bye’ to them cause they’re getting ready to go up against the defending NBA champions. That shouldn’t be the case.”
.@stephenasmith isn’t counting the Lakers out against the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/D3UxOmuTXn
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 17, 2024
Smith argued that with LeBron, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, etc. in rotation, they look like title contenders. Moreover, on the latest episode of Gil’s Arena, Gilbert Arenas unveiled the key element that could prove to be a deciding factor in favor of the Lakers.
He said, “Los Angeles Lakers, you can’t have rogue basketball in the last 3 minutes because they are playing at a 95% efficient clip.” Now with such high hopes and expert advice, the Lakers might be able to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the league in recent years.
