The Lakers have done the unthinkable after making the playoffs, beating the Timberwolves in the Play-in match. The Purple and Gold had a terrible start after winning two out of the first twelve games of the season. For a long time, they were lingering at the bottom half of the table. But the February trades changed the luck of the Lakers altogether. The team started looking balanced and was ready to take on any team to climb up to the top six. But injuries kept the Lakers slowing down in their race to climb up. Finally, the Lakers did make the postseason, unlike the last year.
But they could not finish in the top six. The Lakers managed to finish as the 7th seed. But the fans were happy after the kind of start they had. Being the 7th seed meant the Purple and Gold brigade needed to win just one game against the 8th seed Timberwolves and would go directly to the playoffs. That’s what happened, and the Lakers did not have to hang around the play-in round for too long. The Lakers met the Grizzlies in Memphis for the first-round game of the playoffs. The visitors beat the Grizzlies 128-112.
Lamar Odom Feels Lakers Can Go All The Way
The Lakers proved again they are better than what their 43-39 record of finishing as the 7th seed indicates. Now experts believe, and the team thinks they can win the whole thing. Former Lakers star Lamar Odom feels the team is good and can actually win the championship. Odom played with Kobe Bryant and won two championships for the LA side back to back in 2009 and 2010. He also won the Sixth Man Of The Year Award in 2011. Odom feels the Lakers have done a great job bringing in Tristan Thompson.
Tristan’s rebounding abilities will be a great help for the LA side. Thompson was part of the Caveliar’s side in 2016, alongside LeBron James, which won the title. The Cavaliers, back in those days, made four back-to-back NBA finals from 2014 to 2018, winning only in 2016. Odom feels the Lakers are now stronger than ever and even called LeBron James “God James, God of Basketball.” Lamar Odom thinks his former franchise can win the whole thing if James stays healthy and is not bothered with any more injuries.
Is James Slowing Down?
On the other hand, Stephen Jackson, a former NBA player, mentioned King James might be slowing down. He said, “Back in those days, we had to scout reports on James, but it did not work.” Jackson believes that James was just too strong and energetic. But now, he has slowed down, and the scouting reports are starting to work.”
It is understandable for LeBron James to slow down a bit at 38, playing in his 20th NBA season. Despite slowing down, the King is giving his all at every game for the LA side to proceed further. The Lakers need the experiences and Leadership of LeBron James as well as Anthony Davis to win the title.