On the other hand, what's so sad about this is that he should be adored. What he's doing at 40 is absurd, he plays the game the right way, he has no off court issues, he's charitable, and he's the most complete player we've ever seen. He's #2 after Jordan for me, but if he can get a 5th ring it's going to be extremely close. It's too bad that him, as a person, turns people off. If he had a little more self-awareness he could avoided so much of this.
He isnt sniffing a 5th ring. And I'm a Lakers fan.
I wouldn't be so sure yet. I don't think he will get through the East which seems to inevitably be Boston.. but the West is wide open to me and I'm a Houston fan. OKC is still too inexperienced, Houston is even more not ready for this stage yet, Joker and Denver are toast IMO, Minnesota took a step back, Memphis? Meh. Golden state could surprise some people. But I could very easily see the Lakers coming out of the West. They will have home court advantage for rd 1.. and that could actually go into round 2 and 3 if Houston or OKC falter.
I also won't count out the fact that Adam Silver and the NBA would kill to have Lebron in the finals with Luka. They have the #1 freethrow/foul stats in the league and I dont expect that to change.
I mean they get a weakened Minnesota and perhaps your injury plagued rockets in 2nd round. I guess it's not the worst path. 7 seed could be dangerous.
I hate Boston but until they lose I'm assuming they repeat.