In recent months, the Los Angeles Lakers have found a collective rhythm that has allowed them to maximize the talent of their stars. This has made them serious contenders in the Western Conference, but now, a three-time NBA champion has expressed serious doubts about the role LeBron James will play once the playoffs begin.
During a recent appearance on ESPN, Danny Green and Kendrick Perkins discussed James’ performance in the Lakers‘ victory over the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena. Perkins highlighted: “We saw him on both ends of the floor. I saw him give up his body and this is what makes LeBron James so special… He sacrifices.”
While reviewing one of the plays from the game, the 2008 champion with the Boston Celtics said: “Now you have LeBron James setting the screen for Austin Reaves. Look at the attention that he draws, look at the eyeballs, look at his options… He said, ‘I know, because of my ability to get downhill, even at the age of 40, you still gotta put these eyes on me, and I got options’… One of the best facilitators in the game.”
Green agreed with Perkins’ assessment but immediately voiced his concerns about whether LeBron will be able to endure that physical effort once the playoffs roll around. “I don’t know if he can play the five position at the age of 40 for a seven-game series,” Danny said.
Danny Green knows what the Lakers need to do
During the same discussion, Danny Green expressed satisfaction with the Lakers’ performance against Houston, especially with LeBron James’ showing. “I do like what he did last night, but they need to rely on their offense,” he clarified.
The three-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Lakers then elaborated on the role Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves must assume alongside James. “They need the Big 3 to play well,” he explained. “They need to score, they need their bench, and they need all hands on deck for them to have a chance against teams like OKC, against Houston.”
Finally, analyzing the Lakers’ 104-98 victory on Monday night, Green said: “Houston shot poorly in that first quarter and for most of the game. I don’t know if they’ll do that for a seven-game series, so they’re gonna need their offense as much as their defense.”
The playoff scenario in the West
As of now, the only team in the Western Conference that has secured its spot in the playoffs is the Oklahoma City Thunder, with their impressive record of 63-12. Currently, the second place belongs to the Houston Rockets (49-27), who can secure their spot this Wednesday night if they defeat the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center.
Further down the standings, things are much tighter: the Denver Nuggets also appear to be on track with a 47-29 record, though they are still not in a position to relax. The Lakers (46-29) hold the fourth seed, while the last two spots currently belong to the Golden State Warriors (44-31) and the Memphis Grizzlies (44-32). However, the Minnesota Timberwolves (44-32) and the Los Angeles Clippers (43-32) are also vying for those spots.