- Shaq doubles down, challenges artist who Photoshopped Donovan Mitchell dunking on him to 1-on-1
- Report: Kobe Bryant’s family has asked teams and NBA to not hold tributes for him this year
- Tony Romo says Patrick Mahomes vs. Tom Brady will be like ‘LeBron and Jordan playing in the Finals’
- Anthony Davis admits he lost desire to practice or play basketball during final season with Pelicans
- Anthony Davis claims he’s ‘never’ seen LeBron James angry since joining Lakers
- Shaq DMs artist who Photoshopped Donovan Mitchell dunking on him: ‘Shut yo dumb a-s up’
- LeBron James pays massive tribute to Tom Brady after Buccaneers advance to Super Bowl
- Anthony Davis speaks volumes about Kobe Bryant’s impact on people outside of basketball
- Report: Lakers will not commemorate 1st anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death in any manner
- LeBron James’ ecstatic reaction to Stephen Curry passing Reggie Miller on all-time 3-pointers list
Video: Stephen A. Smith No Longer Sold on Lakers, Believes Bucks and Clippers Have Better Shot at Title
- Updated: August 14, 2020
Prior to the restart of the 2019-20 NBA season in Orlando, Fla., the Los Angeles Lakers were widely considered to be the championship favorites.
However, with the playoffs just days away, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith has expressed his belief that the Lakers may not be the favorites to win it all any longer.
“I was sold on the Lakers. I’m not sold anymore.”@stephenasmith shares his NBA title contenders on #TheSteamRoom https://t.co/F79LyGVYPf pic.twitter.com/dW5IQK4VNr
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 14, 2020
“I think the absence of Avery Bradley is devastating,” he said. “I think that [Rajon] Rondo coming back, even though he’s been out, I’m watching them, they’re having a difficult time making shots. The [Los Angeles] Clippers are the better team.”
Smith went on to heap praise on the defending champion Toronto Raptors. He ultimately concluded that he would take both the Clippers or Milwaukee Bucks over the Lakers.
“I haven’t made a decision yet, but I will tell you I’m not as sold on the Lakers as I once was,” he said. “If I had to make a decision right now, I would tell you I have switched from the Los Angeles Lakers winning a championship to possibly the Clippers or Milwaukee. I’m not sold yet, but that’s where I’m leaning.”
The Lakers concluded the 2019-20 season as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with record of 52-19.
In the eight games within the NBA’s bubble, the Lakers went 3-5. With that in mind, the Lakers did not seem fully locked in for many of the games after they sealed up the No. 1 seed.
Still, doubts remain whether or not the Lakers will be able to simply flip the switch and gain playoff form after stumbling through their final regular season games.
The Lakers will play their first playoff game on Tuesday. Their opponent will be decided by the play-in series between the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies.
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