The Stephen A. Smith Show Lakers in a Playoff Conundrum: Dodge Denver or Risk Early Exit?

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in an intriguing situation as they prepare for the play-in tournament. Having secured the eighth seed, they're destined for a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans, a team they've dominated throughout the season.

Stephen A. Smith delves into the Lakers' peculiar predicament, highlighting their recent success against the Pelicans and LeBron James' stellar performance. Anthony Davis' return to form and his impressive stat line are also mentioned.

However, the rosy picture takes a sharp turn as Smith discusses the looming threat of the Denver Nuggets in the first round if the Lakers win against the Pelicans. The Nuggets hold a clear advantage, having swept the Lakers in both the regular season and the Western Conference Finals last year.

The plot thickens as Smith points out a curious detail: Anthony Davis' sudden back spasms coincided with the Lakers securing a comfortable lead against the Pelicans. While not accusing Davis of any wrongdoing, Smith raises the question of whether this might be a strategic move to avoid facing the Nuggets in the first round.

A Difficult Choice: Embrace the Challenge or Play it Safe?

The dilemma for the Lakers is clear: win against New Orleans and face a near-certain defeat against Denver, or lose and gamble on a play-in matchup against either the Golden State Warriors or the Sacramento Kings.

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Losing to the Pelicans wouldn't guarantee a playoff spot, as they would then have to face the winner of the Warriors-Kings game. The Warriors, led by the ever-dangerous Steph Curry, pose a significant threat, while the Kings, boasting a dominant De'Aaron Fox and a strong showing against the Lakers this season, shouldn't be underestimated.

A Web of Difficult Opponents:

The situation is further complicated by Anthony Davis' struggles against Domantas Sabonis of the Kings and LeBron James' history of losses to Steph Curry in the NBA Finals.

Dodging Denver at All Costs?

Smith acknowledges that suggesting the Lakers would intentionally lose is a serious accusation. However, he emphasizes the Nuggets' clear dominance over the Lakers, making them the one team they seemingly cannot overcome.

So, What's Next for the Lakers?

With a cloud of uncertainty hanging over their strategy, several questions remain unanswered. Will Anthony Davis' back spasms persist through Tuesday's game? Will LeBron James experience a sudden illness? These speculations, while presented in a humorous light by Smith, highlight the desperation the Lakers might feel to avoid the Nuggets.

A Bold Prediction and a Lingering Doubt

Despite the enticing prospect of strategic maneuvering, Smith predicts the Lakers will play hard against New Orleans. However, he can't shake the feeling that they might prioritize avoiding a first-round matchup against the Denver Nuggets.

The Stakes Are High

The Lakers' performance in the play-in tournament will have significant ramifications for their playoff run. Their decision, whether conscious or not, will determine the difficulty of their path towards a championship.