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With the Los Angeles Lakers extending their successful streak to eight video games following a 134-126 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night time, Golden State Warriors ahead Draymond Green offered a measured assessment of their championship outlook.
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Speaking on the most recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green pointed to the influence Luka Doncic has had on the Lakers’ current surge whereas additionally expressing skepticism about whether or not Los Angeles is robust sufficient defensively to make a deep title run.
“Luka has been playing absolutely incredible. Ironically the Lakers have been playing absolutely incredible, ironically Deandre Ayton’s been playing better, ironically Marcus Smart’s been playing better. Because that is the magic of Luka Doncic. Luka at the top of his game makes everyone around him better. So, you ask yourself how dangerous can they be in the playoffs? And apart of me wants to say not very dangerous at all, but the other side of me knows better. You got Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the court at the same time. You have a chance always against anyone.”
Green’s feedback come because the Lakers continue to gain momentum late in the season behind the star pairing of Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles has regarded more and more harmful offensively throughout its current stretch, with Doncic producing at a excessive stage and James persevering with to offer regular playmaking, rebounding and veteran management.
Draymond Green evaluates Lakers’ title chances with LeBron James, Luka Doncic
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Lakers’ current run has strengthened their place within the Western Conference standings and strengthened the ceiling many have related with a roster constructed round two of the league’s most completed offensive gamers. Doncic’s capability to manage tempo, create for teammates and generate environment friendly offense has added a distinct dimension to a staff that already depends closely on James in key moments.
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Still, Green made clear that his essential concern with the Lakers facilities on the opposite finish of the ground.
“Teams that will put pressure on them that will make it tough on them in the playoffs is making them guard. They’re not a great defensive team at all, kinda does some gimmicky stuff like some gimmicky zone that turns into a man. And in a playoff series if you’re doing that like maybe one game, maybe two games they figure out a couple of plays to dice that sh*t up and then you got to play regular defense and then it takes us back to their original issues that the Lakers have had since the beginning of the season. I just don’t know if they’re good enough defensively to ultimately take it all the way, but they will always be dangerous in the playoffs. You got LeBron James, you got Luka Doncic.”
That analysis captures the central query surrounding Los Angeles because the postseason approaches. The Lakers have sufficient offensive star energy to problem any opponent in a playoff sequence, however considerations stay about whether or not they can constantly get stops in opposition to the convention’s high groups over a seven-game matchup.
For now, the Lakers proceed to development upward at a crucial level within the schedule. With James and Doncic main the way in which, Los Angeles has constructed momentum and put itself in place to enter the postseason as one of many Western Conference’s most intriguing groups, even when questions on its defensive ceiling stay unresolved.
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