5-Time NBA Champion Weighed In
In the thick of the NBA Play-In Tournament, LA News Center brings you the captivating insights of basketball legend, Magic Johnson, as the Los Angeles Lakers fight for their playoff berth.
Lakers’ Play-In Destiny
The Lakers secured an eighth-seed finish in the Western Conference, earning them a spot in the Play-In Tournament. LeBron James and the squad traveled to New Orleans for a crucial matchup against the Pelicans. A Lakers win would land them in the first round, facing the defending champion Denver Nuggets. However, concerns lingered about a potential rematch with the team that eliminated Los Angeles in last year’s Western Conference Finals.
Magic’s Bold Message
Addressing the Lakers’ postseason prospects, Magic Johnson swiftly dismissed the notion that they should intentionally lose the Play-In game to avoid facing the Denver Nuggets.
Magic on the Lakers’ Mindset
“Be the Best to Beat the Best”
“I want the Lakers to beat the Pelicans tonight and face the Nuggets,” Johnson wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Even though the Lakers lost their four matchups against the Nuggets [in last year’s playoffs], games 2, 3, and 4 were all close!”
He emphasized the importance of embracing the challenge of facing top competition, stating, “To be the best, you have to beat the best!”
The Two Paths Before the Lakers
Path A: Facing the Nuggets
A Lakers win against the Pelicans would secure the #7 seed and a first-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets. While the Nuggets pose a formidable challenge, Magic believes in the Lakers’ ability to compete.
Path B: Facing the Thunder
Should the Lakers lose to the Pelicans, they would enter another Play-In game against the winner of the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. If they emerge victorious, they would face the second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
The Thunder’s Threat
The Thunder, led by two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, present a significant hurdle. Denver swept the Lakers in last year’s Western Conference Finals and won all three regular-season matchups this season.
ESPN Analyst’s Suggestion
Mike Greenberg of ESPN suggested that the Lakers should rest some of their star players against the Pelicans to avoid facing the Nuggets. However, Johnson disagrees, emphasizing the importance of winning over intentionally losing to achieve their postseason goals.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
