Bill Simmons believes the Los Angeles Lakers are an unpredictable force in this year’s NBA title race, citing their sheer size and physicality as a unique advantage. On his latest podcast episode, Simmons emphasized how the combination of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Rui Hachimura creates an overwhelming physical presence that can dominate opponents.
“They just have size and physicality that I think they you saw it against the Celtics they bullied the Celtics now you know slightly different team but when they have Rui, LeBRon, and Luka all together like those that’s like 800 pounds of dudes.”
“The number one thing is just always having Luka or LeBron out there—one of the two or both. I think it’s just really hard to play them. You don’t have a moment like you had with the Knicks today, where Brunson has to sit down and it’s like, ‘All right, it’s Cam Payne time—cross your fingers.'”
“The fact that the defensive numbers are what they are—like, if they were ninth or 11th, the Lakers, I’d be like, ‘Okay, that’s a little fluky. There’s probably something there.’ But when you’re in the top five, when you’re in the top three, that’s not fluky. At some point, I think JJ is a legitimately good coach.”
“And I thought what they did last night to Joker—who was terrible because they made him terrible—was impressive. But then you just look at it, and at some point, it’s just math. Last night, LeBron and Luka had 59, 19, and 12.”
“If you’re going to get numbers that look like that from your best two guys, you’re going to be heard from for a couple of playoff rounds.”
“So if I was a Laker fan, I’d be excited. But this is why we all went, ‘This is fucking crazy,’ when the trade happened. You don’t just get to add the fourth-best guy in the league to your team just for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.”
He highlighted their recent victory over the Denver Nuggets as an example of how they bullied a traditionally tough team, and he believes this strength will carry into the playoffs.
Simmons pointed out that the Lakers have essentially built a team where, at all times, one of Luka or LeBron is on the floor, ensuring an elite playmaker is always running the offense.
He noted that having two of the most intelligent offensive players eliminates the kind of dead periods other teams suffer when their stars sit, referencing the New York Knicks’ struggles when Jalen Brunson is off the court. The Lakers, in contrast, maintain elite production for the full 48 minutes.
Another key reason Simmons sees the Lakers as legitimate contenders is their defensive numbers. Since January 15th, the Lakers have the best defensive rating in the NBA. He credited JJ Redick’s coaching for their ability to maintain defensive intensity, particularly in the way they neutralized Nikola Jokic in their recent win against Denver.
The Lakers held the reigning MVP to just 12 points on seven shots, a rare feat that showcased their ability to execute a disciplined game plan. According to Simmons, when LeBron and Luka combine for 59 points, 19 rebounds, and 12 assists—as they did against Denver—the Lakers are going to be a problem for any team in the playoffs.
Beyond the sheer skill of their two superstars, the Lakers have built a physically imposing core that can overwhelm opponents. LeBron (250 lbs), Luka (230 lbs), and Rui (230 lbs) alone weigh over 710 pounds combined, and when factoring in Austin Reaves (200 lbs), their starting four surpasses 900 pounds.
This size advantage allows them to dictate the tempo, win physical battles, and force mismatches against smaller teams. Simmons believes this is the reason the Lakers have been so dominant in games where they play with physicality, such as their recent blowout win over the Celtics.
The Lakers currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with a 34-21 record, steadily climbing the standings since acquiring Luka Doncic. With their combination of size, skill, and defense, they are proving to be far more than just a wildcard team.
While some may see Simmons’ praise as a subtle attempt at a reverse jinx—given his Celtics fandom—the reality is that the Lakers are emerging as one of the most dangerous teams heading into the postseason.
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