The more time passes, the more observers express doubts about the Lakers and their chances of reaching the playoffs. A veteran of the league even claims that LeBron James himself would no longer place any hope in his own team.

Los Angeles Lakers NBA superstar LeBron James
While many expected to see them at the top of the standings in the West after their remarkable run last year in the playoffs, the Lakers (39-32) finally found themselves in a rather unexpected position. Currently 9th in their conference, they seem well on their way to playing in the Play-In Tournament, from which they will have to escape to hope to win the 18th title in their history.

Title dreams inaccessible for LeBron’s Lakers?

At 39 years old, LeBron James is struggling as best he can to allow his team to achieve these goals. However, the irregularity of his teammates thwarts his plans. This is why Kendrick Perkins no longer has too many hopes for the LA franchise at the end of the season. In front of Shannon Sharpe, he even affirmed that his doubts are shared by the King on the set of First Take.

As the expression goes, “You can smell the dung before you see it.” » We smelled this smell throughout the season with the Lakers. First, they need to make the playoffs. (…) LeBron James does not expect anything from the Lakers. He knows they suck! He knows they can’t do any damage. That explains why LeBron, you and I were making so much noise before the trade deadline!

 

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We were ones that said, “Recruit Trae Young. Go find a new star. Go get a winger who knows how to defend. » Because we all know that if they have to face them in the Play-In, the Kings can hurt them. We know that Domantas Sabonis still dominates Anthony Davis. And even if they have to play the Mavericks, I’m not sure they want to play Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

If the final ranking remained the same as the current one, the Lakers would face the Warriors in the first round of Play-In. They would then face the Suns or the Mavericks. Currently 6th in the West, the Kings could also play against the Angelinos if they fail to secure a direct qualifying ticket for the playoffs. But in each case, Kendrick Perkins doesn’t see LA as the favorite.

He even goes so far as to use a rather… peculiar expression. Still, the Lakers will have to work hard to prove their detractors wrong. Their relatively easy schedule compared to their direct competitors could help them do this. Just like LeBron James who does not seem to be letting up his efforts despite the words of his former teammate at the Cavaliers.

Even if the Lakers remain in the race for the playoffs, Kendrick Perkins is quite skeptical about their chances… and LeBron James would do the same. To see if the end of the Angelinos season will prove him or them right.