The Los Angeles Lakers have surpassed everyone’s expectations of them this season. Having made it to the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers look like real contenders to win it all, something very few people predicted.
The team’s fortunes changed after the moves they made at the trade deadline, the additions of five impactful role players made all the difference. And while some saw it coming, like Kendrick Perkins, others like Richard Jefferson who thought it wouldn’t matter too much now look like fools.
Richard Jefferson was on ESPN in a panel with Kendrick Perkins discussing the Lakers’ potential after their trades. And he had an incredulous reaction after Perkins said, “I had them as a first-round exit, but they actually could make it to the Conference Finals. With this roster, I think a healthy AD along with LeBron James, I think they could make a push. And I don’t see why you (Jefferson) feel any different.”
Richard Jefferson then replied, “They are 5-5 in their last 10 games, they’re 13th in the West. Out of 15, they’re 13th and this man sat up here and told America that they could make the Conference Finals. They added Malik Beasley and D’Angelo Russell and now these dudes are conference finalists over Memphis, you’re talking about Denver, you’re talking about the Phoenix Suns and Dallas.
“With this team, they are a contender. They’re a contender for the postseason. Their ceiling is the postseason… They’re 13th.”
Jefferson was certain in his take, and to be honest, most fans would likely have agreed with him more than with Perkins at the time. It is a testament to the Lakers that they have proved him wrong so spectacularly, and now that they have, this is a pretty bad look for him.
The Los Angeles Lakers Have Silenced Every Critic
Before they made it to the playoffs, plenty of people thought they might not even make it. The Los Angeles Lakers were also expected to struggle against the Memphis Grizzlies. The biggest doubt in them came when they faced the Golden State Warriors, with virtually every analyst picking the Warriors to beat them.
This Los Angeles Lakers team is vastly different from the one that started the season. They have exceeded expectations and proved all their doubters wrong. If they can go on to win the championship, it will likely be the greatest mid-season turnaround ever and make plenty more people’s takes look terrible.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
