Kendrick Perkins explains why the Lakers will win the ring this season

The Los Angeles Lakers entered last season with a lot of pressure on their shoulders. They were the reigning NBA champions and -as it happens with every team with LeBron James– had an obligation to defend their crown.

But, given the fact that their additions didn’t seem to mesh well with their championship core and all the injuries they had to endure, their season came to an early end at the hands of the Phoenix Suns.

That’s why Rob Pelinka was quite aggressive in their pursuit of another star, landing Russell Westbrook right away and looking to fill the roster with more veterans. As of now, they have one of the most stacked teams in the league.

Kendrick Perkins Says No One Will Beat LeBron James And Russell Westbrook In The Playoffs

And while some people believe that the Lakers need more shooting, that Westbrook isn’t a good fit next to LeBron, and that they’re just too old to go the distance next season, Kendrick Perkins says that there’s just not another team in the West that could take them down in a seven-game series:

(Transcript via FadeAway World)

“Aye, don’t touch that oven, it’s hot. Then you have to learn, you touch that oven, you are going to get burned. This is what is about to happen to all the people that are doubting or having something to say whether Russell Westbrook and LeBron James are going to work on the court. Yes, it’s going to work, ok?”

“Russell Westbrook has proven to us that he’s the guy that is willing to facilitate for others. LeBron James don’t want to carry that load no more. LeBron James has shown us that he can play alongside another non-shooting superstar as he did with Dwyane Wade and still win championships. Look. to all the people that are doubting Russ and LeBron and the Lakers, answer this: When we get to the postseason name a team just in the Western Conference along, that could beat this Lakers team fully healthy in a seven-game series and I’ll wait.”

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Perkins has never been the one to shy away from firing a hot take way too early, but he’s got some valid points right there. Hopefully, the Lakers will be at full strength and we’ll get to see what they’re truly capable of.