The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to slip, and fans are starting to see it. After losing on Sunday to the lowly Toronto Raptors, LA is now sitting in a sixth place in the Western Conference and is very much in danger of having to play in the NBA's play-in tournament to punch their ticket to the postseason. LeBron James wasn't happy after the loss (the team's third straight), and given the team's predicament, wasn't happy with the play-in tournament either.
Of course, it's obvious why he's in his feelings at the moment. These are the mighty Los Angeles Lakers, after all, and by all rights, they should be one of the best five teams in the NBA, at least. More than that, they were supposed to be even better this year, especially after the trade deadline. The fact they're in danger of falling out of typical playoff contention is both shameful and concerning, and the frustration of their two best players going down when they did must weigh heavy on his shoulders.
However, there is a big caveat to LeBron's anger and ire: these are the Lakers, and he's LeBron James. Every single returning member of this team has a championship pedigree, and they still likely sport the two best players on the court at any given time, when healthy.
So, if they were to actually get into a play-in tournament, how do you think they'd do? This should be an easy answer.
Let's say that the tournament started today, and the Lakers were forced to play. With their luck, they actually get to avoid the tournament's most dangerous team in the Golden State Warriors (‘never count out Steph Curry' is a golden rule in NBA basketball), and get to face off against the San Antonio Spurs.
Realistically, do you actually think that a team led by DeMar DeRozan and Dejounte Murray could contend with one led by LeBron and Anthony Davis? DeRozan probably still has night terrors of LeBron's Cavs essentially kicking him out of Toronto. You can be cute with how good Gregg Popovich's coaching is, and say that Murray and DeRozan can get hot, which is fine. But if you're expecting Jakob Poeltl to stop AD or Andre Drummond in the middle, you probably live in San Antonio.
Let's shuffle the tournament around a bit, though, and see if we get the same results. Would the Memphis Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant and a newly healed and still green Jaren Jackson, Jr. (who hasn't played basketball in a year), be able to compete with the Lakers' best? Is their supporting cast nearly as good as the one the Lakers have right now? Forget Davis, Jonas Valanciunas would still have to deal with Drummond, and Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are powder kegs waiting to go off on any given night.
But, and finally, you're here to answer the real question of this little mental exercise: could a LeBron-led Lakers team beat a red-hot Steph Curry and Golden State squad in a play-in tournament?
Absolutely.
Name one offensive force on the Golden State Warriors outside of Steph Curry, one efficient source of points on the board. Can't do it? Because there is none. Golden State goes completely as Curry does, and if he's not immaculate, this supporting cast simply can't pick up where he left off. And you'd best believe that these Lakers will be able to stop that hot streak from Steph. They might be the most well-equipped team to do it.
This team is chock-full of top-tier perimeter defenders when healthy. Don't discount the athleticism of guys like Alex Caruso, Kyle Kuzma, or Talen Horton-Tucker with LeBron in command, nor the savvy of Dennis Schroder. This team, when properly motivated, is possibly the best two-way team in the NBA outside of the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz, and they will be motivated come playoff time.
Let's face it: this question is ridiculous. When healthy, this team was running the Western Conference along with the Jazz and Phoenix Suns. They are a wolf in sheep's clothing, and if you put them up against the real teams who are play-in tournament material, they are going to shred them like butter.
So let's stop doubting LeBron James, especially with the most talented roster he's ever had. It's getting ridiculous already.
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