LeBron James owned the Eastern Conference for the past eight years. He went to eight straight NBA Finals with the Heat and Cavaliers, but now, James is in the Western Conference with the Lakers, which means a ninth consecutive finals appearance won’t be easy.
The Lakers as they are presently constructed are a playoff team for sure, but to get to the Finals, Los Angeles has to beat some formidable opponents. Of course, you have the world champion Golden State Warriors; you have the team who had the best record in basketball last season in the Houston Rockets. Also, you have the OKC Thunder who brought back Paul George and added Dennis Schroder. They will be in the mix, too.
According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, the Lakers could be a top-3 seed in the Western Conference.
Listen to what Smith had to say on First Take today:
“I have the Los Angeles Lakers finishing as a top-3 seed in the Western Conference.”
— @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/bkX1xqQ4lu
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 15, 2018
At this point, it’s hard to project what the Lakers could be next season. Obviously, LeBron James makes them a factor in the West, but he does not make them the favorite. Being a top-3 seed is possible for the Lakers, but in my mind, it still comes down to the Rockets and Warriors in the Western Conference.