LeBron James' secondary role behind Luka Doncic bodes well for the Lakers, says NBA icon Paul Pierce

The Los Angeles Lakers are steadily finding their rhythm, which combined with the immense talent of their star players, makes them serious contenders in the Western Conference. Paul Pierce, the NBA icon and 2008 Boston Celtics champion, weighed in with a surprising take on LeBron James‘ role within the team since Luka Doncic‘s arrival.

“They are looking like a real threat in the West because I don’t see the teams in front of them with the experience outside of Denver, because they got the best player in the league (Nikola Jokic),” Pierce began on the Ticket and The Truth podcast. “But see, Luka (Doncic) can cancel him out all across the board.”

Paul then turned his attention to James’ evolving role with the Lakers. “Bron is their second best player,” he said, causing a moment of laughter with co-host Kevin Garnett. “Damn, if Bron is the second-best player on the championship team, dawg, the West is in trouble,” Pierce added.

“I’m looking at everybody else’s second best player. So when I look at OKC, who is their second best player? Jalen (Williams) or Chet (Holmgren). I’m taking Bron,” Pierce noted, before drawing a similar comparison with the Memphis Grizzlies. “Who’s their second best player?” Paul asked, prompting Garnett to respond: “J-Jack (Jaren Jackson).”

Boston Celtics starsKevin Garnett and Paul Pierce during a game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena.

“The gap between their second-best player, the gap between LeBron and them, is way up here. That’s gonna be crazy,” Pierce asserted. “And Lakers third best player, (Austin) Reaves… he’s activated. He’s just as good as all the top teams’ second best player.”

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Chemistry between Doncic and James

As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to impress with their recent performances, the hosts of Ticket and The Truth delved into the developing chemistry between Doncic and James, and their optimism for the team’s future was palpable. “LeBron looks like he’s in Cleveland again,” Garnett said. “(Expletive) had like seven dunks.”

Pierce chimed in, offering his take: “If you keep the ball in Luka’s hands and let him be the distributor, and let LeBron kind of roam around, run the break, cut slash… it’s looking like they’ve developed some chemistry fast,” he said. “This is gonna be a dangerous team come the Playoffs.”

The Lakers’ impressive streak

Not long ago, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves struggling to secure a strong position in the Western Conference standings. Playoff aspirations were uncertain, and their prospects seemed bleak. However, a dramatic shift has taken place over the past few games.

The Lakers have won 11 of their last 13 matchups, including a five-game winning streak against formidable opponents such as the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers. This surge has propelled them into fourth place in the West, closing the gap on the Denver Nuggets and the Memphis Grizzlies. With the momentum they’re building, the Lakers are approaching the final stretch of the season in peak form.