Someone likes Rob Pelinka’s deadline dealmaking.
Last night, with both Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis finally available to suit up next to new teammates D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Mo Bamba (Davon Reed played just 3:25 in garbage time), LA’s team chemistry looked positively off the charts, as the team rode its sharpshooting and improved defense around the rim to a high-flying 120-102 win over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.
That performance helped move LA to a 27-32 record, still not amazing, but a sign that the team can gain ground in the Western Conference.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, for one, loves this revitalized team’s chances of actually making some noise in the postseason.
“Believe it or not, are you ready for this Jay, I’m going to say [title contention is] possible,” Smith said. “Listen, of course we’re not saying they come before Denver or Phoenix or even Memphis. What I’m saying to you is this: when I think about a title contender, do you got a chance to knock any of them off? Outside of Phoenix, I say yes. When I look at the Los Angeles Lakers, I’ve got to take a moment to give Rob Pelinka some love, okay?”
“I’m making the assumption they’re going to the postseason,” Smith continued. “They’re the 13th seed. They’re only three-and-a-half games out of the sixth seed, where they won’t have to participate in the play-in.”
“With about 23 games to go, I’ve got LeBron James healthy… AD, I like D’Angelo Russell on the Los Angeles Lakers… I like Malik Beasley on the Los Angeles Lakers. I like this kid Vanderbilt on the Los Angeles Lakers,” Smith noted. “They’ve improved their shooting, they’ve been able to spread the floor, they’ve improved their defensive prowess. If these guys are healthy, the way these guys have looked, Jay Williams, I can’t summarily dismiss the possibility that the Los Angeles Lakers can make some noise and dare I say, potentially advance to a conference finals.”
“Let me say this to you: the Lakers healthy, are going to the semi-finals, automatic,” Smith said. “And I give them a 33% chance [of making the Western Conference Finals], but I’m guaranteeing you they ain’t going home in the first round if they’re healthy, because I believe they’ll catch the sixth seed.”
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