Doesn't feel all that pivotal to be honest

LeBron has aged and plateaued to the point now that he isn't even in contention to be in the GOAT argument anymore.

The narrative has already started with Laker & Lebron excuses.

Laker injuries, away from family, focussing on BLM etc.

Some high profile media are even calling Blazers favourites.

To be honest in my opinion the pressure is on AD not LeBron, AD is the guy in his prime and is supposed to be a big superstar player. Right now Nurkic looks better than AD does.

LeBron has nothing left to prove, I'm not one for the who is better Jordan or LeBron debate as they played different positions and are playing in different era's of basketball. But if AD wants to be the future of the Lakers he needs to be the one stepping up.

[Jordan had pippen and the rest of the team were odd assortment of European or journeymen type players. Put Lebron in place of Jordan in those teams they dont get 5 rings, not even close.]

Trolling much? How about 2*DPOY, 8* All defense 1st team, 2* All NBA superstar Dennis Rodman. Just a journeyman!

On the countrary I think if Lebron had a time machine back to 1996, he'd win 3 in a row too.

The first 3 though- 91-93? More questionable.

Lebron is good but not great.

You tit.

Wade in his prime was comparable to Pippen I would think, but declined sharply when he hit 30, after his 2nd season with Lebron.

Jordan played with Pippen all through Pippen's prime.

Bosh isn't in the same league as Rodman. At least, 96 Rodman. Perhaps Rodman had declined a bit by 1998.

I don't think the COVID asterisk counts for that much that it would seriously change the minds of the sorts who get particularly excited by GOAT debates. They don't have HCA, I guess.

Bradley and Rondo are out, but so are Ariza and Hood.

I assume it's the structure of the team as much as anything.

No easy teams in the West.

"Nba fix this one Lakers are biggest rating team so need them through...."

Hell no!, The NBA won't taint its integrity with something like this, it ain't the NBL.

Yes Lakers would normally in front of a packed out Staples for Games 1 and 2.

8th Seed isn't too bad if you match up well against 1st seed.

We wish Dame time all the best.

Does there need to be panic here?

The Lakers had a bad shooting night with some god awful passengers like KCP 1/1/1 in 29 mins of action 0-9.

If they revert to the averages, the Lakers would be in a better position.

Did AD play that bad?? 28 and 11 with 2 steals and blocks is not too shabby.

HCA means SFA.
It's more about form and Portland and Lillard in particular have been on fire.

Still see the Lakers getting this series in 6.

Lovebroker - the shooting woes hasnt just been that 1 game, they are scoring the lowest PPG out of all teams in the bubble... that says something when they are in the bubble with the Orlando Magic.

AD scored 28 points correct, but took him 24 shots to do it (33% shooting), the free throw line helped him a lot in this one.

Also remember the Blazers are playing without their starting PF Zach Collins who is out another couple of games, so AD should be feasting on Wenyen Gabriel.

LeBron is being LeBron and keeping them in it, but its gotta be AD who steps up and shows he was worth everything the Lakers gave up for him.

Lakers shouldn't be worried. They shot 5/32 and it took some pretty big shots by the Blazers down the stretch to get it done (though I suppose you could say the same about the Blazers and their shooting %).

I feel like people underestimate how much of a neutraliser the bubble is. I mean both 8 seeds won their opening games, Utah clapped Denver by 20 today (which isn’t going to happen at altitude @ Denver), Dallas beat LAC today etc.

Just my opinion but this whole season has a huge asterisk.
Imagine Golden State playing in a bubble. They probably don’t end up winning 2 of their titles.

To many haters always going to hate.