Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith questions the Los Angeles Lakers’ status as legitimate contenders in the NBA.
Despite winning seven of their last ten games, the Lakers remain in the play-in zone of the Western Conference with a record of 34 wins and 29 losses.
Smith’s skepticism stems from the Lakers’ inability to defeat the Denver Nuggets, losing eight consecutive games against the defending champions.
During an episode of ESPN’s First Take, Smith emphasized the Lakers’ struggles against top-tier competition, particularly their repeated losses to the Nuggets.
“We saw the Lakers once again fall to the reigning defending NBA champions the Denver Nuggets. Can’t beat them. Lost eight straight,” Smith said. “How am I supposed to consider you a serious threat when the reigning defending NBA champions continuously abuse you at every turn?
“I understand that the Lakers can’t beat almost anybody else. I get that part. And I guess because of that you can label them a contender per se, a legitimate threat in the West. I just don’t feel that way. I’m not sold on them right now. And I could be wrong. I understand that. But I just don’t feel like I’m too sold on them right now.”
