Stephen A. Smith without detour: “The worst adversary possible for Lakers is them”

By Joël Pütz | Sports journalist

Third from the West Conference at the end of the regular season, Lakers must now confirm in Playoffs. According to Stephen A. Smith, purple and gold would do better to pray so as not to come across a particular opponent.

The first mission of the Lakers is known during these playoffs: to overcome Timberwolves during the first round. In a sense, the 2020 champions were lucky since they will not be able to face the Thunder and the Nuggets in the conference finals, at the earliest. If they therefore manage to have Rudy Gobert and others, their journey could be easier than expected … but be careful not to be too confident either.

Indeed, their half of the table is not without remaining. Rockets are lacking in experience but surprised this season, while the Warriors would be the Texans opponents if they beat the grizzly ones during the play-in. A scenario that the Lakers would do better to avoid according to Stephen A. Smith, who spoke in the show First Take :

The Warriors, a nightmare opponent of the Lakers according to SAS

I would say that the worst adversary possible for them are the Golden State Warriors. Because of Steph Curry. Because of the experience that Steph Curry, Jimmy Buckets and Draymond Green bring to the team. The exceptional coaching of Steve Kerr – one of the five best coaches of all time is indisputable. When you look at everything they can do – their shots in the perimeter, their ability to put free throws …

I think that all these elements, as well as their defensive prowess, are important. Even if they are small, they can attack you like a band of piranhas.

If Los Angeles would surely have the advantage in the racket against the dubs, it is clear that the Californians would have something to give a hard time, in LeBron & Co.

That said, Golden State must already qualify during the Play-In and then survive in the first round if Curry and his teammates want to compete with purple and gold. The latter more count on a very high -flying rookie coach in the person of JJ Redick. SAS also admitted that he could very quickly be very successful in the city of angels, perhaps even in the short term:

I want to say something and I do not consider him at all as daring: JJ Redick will one day win a title as a coach, in the near future. I think he proved that he was exceptional and that he was determined. It may not be this year, but with Luka and LeBron, I cannot remove them like that against anyone outside OKC.

The road to the NBA finals will not be easy for the Lakers, especially if they were to cross the Warriors route according to Stephen A. Smith. Yet another confrontation between Stephen Curry and LeBron James would however be worth the detour, no doubt.