In a chat with the media ahead of Saturday’s opening game against the Nuggets, LeBron James spoke on the state of his health and what condition his body is in for the post-season. According to LeBron, while he’s healthier than last year, he’s still not completely healthy heading into round one.
“I’m in a much better rhythm physically, emotionally, all that,” said LeBron. “Coming into the series this year compared to the Western Conference Finals last year, I was extremely banged up… but I feel better than I did last year.”
LeBron James: "I'm in a much better rhythm.. physically, emotionally, all that. Coming into the series this year compared to the Western Conference Finals last year I was extremely banged up… but I feel better than I did last year." pic.twitter.com/LW2rQTedDM
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 20, 2024
Last season was like a nightmare for the King. While the Lakers were able to make a late-season push toward the end, LeBron struggled to stay on the court from the very beginning, only playing in 55 total games. By the time the Lakers entered the players, LeBron was really on his last leg and it took everything he had to power his team as far as the Western Conference Finals.
This season, with a better record overall and more continuity from the jump, the team is in much better shape to last four playoff rounds. While they are still massive underdogs to beat the Nuggets and win the West, LeBron is feeling good about his team’s chances, given all that’s changed from a year ago.
With both Anthony Davis and himself at full strength for the playoffs, the Lakers will be operating with their full power, and we’ve seen down the stretch of this season how potent this Lakers team can be. As a squad built with size and strength, Los Angeles can muscle their way to victory in the West but they’ll need LeBron injury-free to have any kind of chance. So far, the signs are looking positive that that the King will avoid any kind of setback but it remains to be seen if they can actually pull it off.
Los Angeles Lakers Can Shock The World
With a 45-37 record this season, the Lakers finished 7th in the West and fans are split on what kind of threat they pose in the 2024 title chase. As good as the Lakers have been over the past few weeks, the West is just too good to make any mistakes. Against teams like the Timberwolves, Thunder, and Clippers, the margin for error is ridiculously thin and the Lakers have struggled to stay consistent all year long.
As losers of 8 straight games to the Nuggets, nobody is picking the Purple and Gold to advance in the series and many believe it’s doomed to end in a four-game sweep for the second straight season. Still, Jokic and the Nuggets are not taking the Lakers lightly, and nobody should be counting them out.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are one of the best duos in the league when healthy and they can just find a way to contain Jokic, it might give them a chance to steal some games in the series. But if LeBron or his co-star are compromised in any way, it could be enough to end the Lakers’ season for good. At this point, James might have to play 40 minutes a night to even give his team a chance to beat the Nuggets.
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