LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are off to a better start this season than they have in years past.
After finding their groove early in the season, the team went undefeated in the NBA Play-Ins and won their first NBA Cup.
The victory made the team the favorite in the Western Conference in the eyes of many fans, but they have struggled since then. Most recently, the team fell to .500 on the season and ninth in the Conference West. With just one game remaining between them and the 10th-ranked Utah Jazz, the team will need a late-season powerhouse like Stephen A. Smith looked at the situation.
If LeBron James wants to win his fifth championship, his best chance isn’t at Los Angeles State. In a speech this week, he supported James joining the New York Knicks. “If you want LeBron James to win a championship, move him to the New York Knicks, center stage at Madison Square Garden. Have you seen a defense like this? I see Tom Thibodeau coaching the defense.”Fans were quick to respond to the comments. Check out some of the best below.
LeBron James and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau have a history together. James played with Thibodeau’s Chicago Bulls multiple times, including in the postseason during his second stints in Miami and Cleveland. As with the Knicks, Thibodeau was and still is a huge part of the Bulls’ success given the team’s defense. As Smith noted, the Knicks’ defense has improved significantly under Thibodeau, moving them to the third-best record in the East.
While some fans aren’t sold on protecting LeBron James as his career enters its twilight years and the Knicks hesitate to trade him, there’s no denying his influence. Looking at the team’s current depth chart, it’s no surprise that adding James would be a big move.
Donte DiVincenzo currently starts at guard, but with James in the rotation, Josh Hart could move to both guard spots.
Then O.G. Anunabi can move to a 3, LeBron James to a 4 and Julius Randle to a 5. Smith also mentioned that Mitchell Robinson will be back sooner than expected as the Knicks enter the All-Star break.
When they return, Julius Randle will be ready to return, depending on the Knicks’ two-to-three week assessment this week. However, starting at the trade deadline, a trade between the two teams is unlikely to happen. , it’s impossible.