The four Western Conference first-round series are a bloodbath, especially the highly touted matchup between the Lakers and the Timberwolves. Los Angeles tied the series at one game apiece following their Game 2 victory. They bounced back from their Game 1 loss emphatically, but NBA legend Dwyane Wade wants to see more from Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
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Doncic largely carried the offensive load for the Lakers in the first two games of the series, as James didn’t look like his typical self in Game 1. LBJ finished with only 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. That isn’t nearly enough against a strong Timberwolves team.
LeBron perked up a bit in Game 2, showcasing he can still produce at a high level, tallying 21 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. James did a bit of everything and was the perfect complement to Doncic’s 31 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists in this matchup.
Doncic and James’ adjustments came shortly after Wade made a passionate appeal to them. In a recent episode of Time Out with Dwyane Wade, he vocalized what he needs to see from the Lakers’ dynamic duo to assert themselves back into this series.
“I want to see them be the two baddest motherf******s on the planet,” Wade said. “You can lose, but I need y’all to be the baddest motherf*****s on the planet together.”
Wade shared his disappointment in the Lakers for allowing the Timberwolves to dominate in LA to open up the series. Minnesota star Anthony Edwards emphatically asserted his presence in the games, but Wade believes Luka and LeBron should carry themselves at an even “badder” level.
Wade was referring to their attitude. He wants to see Doncic and James walk what they talk. Edwards can’t outdo them in that category. The two Lakers stars have had their own individual playoff successes over the years. But their confidence isn’t up to Wade’s liking. He needs to see more to justify the faith he has in the Lakers to make it out of this series.
James hasn’t played to his normal level
LeBron has notoriously been a playoff riser throughout his career. However, he is off to a slow start to begin the Lakers’ postseason push.
Across the first two games, James is averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. They are good statistics, but not great, which is what the Lakers will require to achieve their championship aspirations.
LA will need more from LeBron as the series shifts to Minnesota. Doncic is familiar with how difficult it is to win in Minnesota, considering he faced off against the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals a season ago.
“Going into Minnesota is going to be a war,” Doncic said. “The fans are going to be cheering like crazy. So no matter what, we can’t panic. And that’s on me and Bron to keep the team together.”
Doncic understands that he and LeBron will need to step up as leaders to ensure the Lakers perform to their capabilities in enemy territory. It will be difficult, but LA has the tools to go into the Target Center and take a 2-1 lead in the series.
