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Reading: Stephen A. Smith Says The Lakers Will Not Win The West: “LeBron Looks Like A Shell Of Himself.”
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Stephen A. Smith Says The Lakers Will Not Win The West: “LeBron Looks Like A Shell Of Himself.”

Stephen A. Smith Says The Lakers Will Not Win The West: “LeBron Looks Like A Shell Of Himself.”

Nico Martinez
May 3, 2021
2 Min Read
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Rappler

It wasn’t long ago that ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was high on the Lakers as title favorites. In fact, he has gone on record as saying the team is capable of winning multiple Championships during the LeBron James era.

But with L.A. in a serious rut, and LeBron not quite looking like himself, Smith has developed some reasonable doubts about the Lakers, and went on First Take to lament about the current condition of “King” James.

“I think he was right on the money when he said if he ain’t 100%, they ain’t coming out of the West, I think even he knows that. LeBron looks like a shell of himself right now.

And when you look at the Los Angeles Lakers right now, they’re out of synch… and without LeBron James, the offense just isn’t what it used to be. There’s just too much formidable opposition in the Western Conference for LeBron to be less than 100%. As far as I’m concerned, if the playoffs started right now, I wouldn’t pick the Lakers to reach the Conference Finals.”

.@stephenasmith is not picking the Lakers to win the West right now 👀

"[LeBron] looks like a shell of himself right now." pic.twitter.com/eIriBJKdu0

— First Take (@FirstTake) May 3, 2021

Amid a 3-game losing streak, the Lakers are certainly giving their fans some reason to panic.

The chemistry is off, the supporting cast has been inconsistent, and (most worryingly), LeBron James has not looked right since his return.

In a Conference so loaded with talent, it will take a healthy LeBron and Anthony Davis for the Lakeshow to repeat the success they had a year ago. At this point, nobody is sure if they’re capable of pulling it off.

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ByNico Martinez
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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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