A controversial American journalist doesn't believe in the Lakers: "No team has ever won the NBA with three white stars"
The Los Angeles franchise has kicked off the season like a shot thanks to an extraordinary Luka Doncic, well supported by Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler
Los Angeles Lakers return to the top spots in the NBA. With a record of 10-2, the Los Angeles franchise leads the Western Conference and is going through a good run of form, driven by a spectacular Luka Doncic. The Slovenian is averaging 39.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. However, it is still too early to determine the true aspirations of the team.
Not everyone is confident in their chances to compete for the championship. Controversial analyst Stephen A. Smith has questioned their options to win the ring with an argument that has generated controversy: the race of their main players. "I have never seen an NBA team with three white players as key figures win a championship. It has never happened, and I assure you I don't think it will happen this year," he stated.
Smith doesn’t see the Lakers going beyond the second round
Doncic, Austin Reaves, and newly added Walker Kessler are the three main figures of the Lakers. For Smith, the fact that all three are white represents a barrier to the team’s aspirations. "I know it's controversial, but I don't think they'll get past the second round. I would be very surprised if they did," he noted.
The analyst places the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the Los Angeles team. He also considers that the Denver Nuggets would be superior and that the Lakers would be on the same level as the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves once Anthony Edwards recovers from his injury.
Smith, however, does not question Doncic's extraordinary moment. "He is unstoppable. He is leaving everyone speechless. He will be a candidate for MVP. There is no doubt that he is special," he acknowledged.
Despite this, he believes the Lakers are capable of qualifying for the playoffs but not competing for the title. His prediction for the playoffs is blunt: "They will make it to the second round, suffer a humiliating defeat, and go home."
Confidence in the future of the franchise
Despite his doubts about the current chances of the team, Smith does see a promising future for the Lakers. The analyst highlighted the new leadership of the franchise, led by Kushner and Bob Iger, to whom he gave high praise.
"Bob Iger is, in my opinion, the Michael Jordan of sports. He is the best executive I have ever known, a mentor and a friend. I believe the Lakers are in good hands and the future looks incredibly promising," he concluded.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Un polémico periodista estadounidense no cree en los Lakers: "Nunca un equipo ha ganado la NBA con tres estrellas blancas"
