The Los Angeles Lakers’ repeat title bid will commence with LeBron James facing a familiar foe in the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament, led by James’ pick for MVP, Stephen Curry.
“I mean, just look at what he’s done this year,” James said after L.A.’s 110-98 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, coupled with a Denver Nuggets loss on Sunday, locked the Lakers into the No. 7 spot. “I don’t know anything else if you’re looking for an MVP. If Steph is not on Golden State’s team, what are we looking at?
“We get caught up in the records sometimes. We get caught up in the, OK, who has the best record instead of just saying who had the best season that year. And Steph has had, in my opinion, the best season all year.”
And now the fate of the Lakers’ postseason seeding will come down to Curry, the league’s leading scorer, and the No. 8 Warriors coming to Staples Center on Wednesday with a first-round berth against the No. 2 Phoenix Suns on the line.
The loser will go on to face the winner of the No. 9 Memphis Grizzlies and No. 10 San Antonio Spurs’ play-in game, with the winner of that game earning the No. 8 seed and a first-round date with the No. 1 Utah Jazz.
While L.A. finished the regular season on a five-game winning streak — with James averaging 24.5 points on 50% shooting, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.5 steals in his last two games after missing 26 of the Lakers’ previous 28 games with a high right ankle sprain — James’ teams had never entered the playoffs seeded lower than No. 4 in his previous 14 appearances.
“I don’t look at our seeding. It doesn’t matter. Obviously we know we wanted to play a lot better this season, but the injuries took a toll on our team,” James said, alluding to his ankle and Anthony Davis’ nine-week absence because of a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis in his right leg. “But I look forward to the challenge. It’s another challenge for me in the postseason. I’m looking forward to it.”