Stephen A's Take: Mavericks don't want to hear this, but the Lakers are playing like Champions. - The Stephen A. Smith Show

Summary

Summary of "Stephen A's Take: Mavericks don't want to hear this, but the Lakers are playing like Champions"

Release Date: March 7, 2025
Podcast: The Stephen A. Smith Show
Host: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts

1. Introduction to the Lakers' Remarkable Performance

In this episode, Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the current NBA landscape, spotlighting the Los Angeles Lakers' unexpected surge in performance. Contrary to the skepticism from the Dallas Mavericks, Smith argues that the Lakers are embodying the spirit and playstyle of true champions.

2. Lakers' Ascent in the Western Conference

Michael Wilbon kicks off the discussion by highlighting the Lakers' impressive climb to the second seed in the Western Conference. He notes their recent dominance over the Clippers with a sweep of two games on Friday and Sunday, bringing their current streak to six consecutive wins and 12 wins out of the last 14 games. Wilbon emphasizes the impact of key players, Luka Doncic and LeBron James, on the team's success.

"The Lakers are on a roll, and many are starting to wonder if they can win the West. I'm here to tell you they can win the west."
— Michael Wilbon [01:06]

3. Defensive Excellence: The Game Changer

A pivotal point in the conversation centers around the Lakers' defensive strategies, credited largely to J.J. Redick. Wilbon reveals that over the past six and a half weeks, the Lakers have ranked as the number one defensive team in the NBA in terms of efficiency.

"Nobody anticipated that. So we got to give love where it's due, respect where it's due."
— Michael Wilbon [03:45]

This defensive prowess is presented as a key factor that could propel the Lakers to overcome other formidable teams in the West.

4. Evaluating Western Conference Contenders

Wilbon conducts a comparative analysis of various Western Conference teams, assessing their strengths and weaknesses:

OKC Thunder: Highlighting the talents of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein, Wilbon acknowledges their youthful energy and versatility but questions whether their inexperience will hold up against seasoned teams like the Lakers.
Memphis Grizzlies: Struggling with shooting consistency, they face challenges in maintaining momentum.
Houston Rockets: Similarly hindered by youth, lacking the necessary experience to contend with top-tier teams.
Denver Nuggets: Limited depth in their bench could be a significant disadvantage in the playoffs.
Phoenix Suns: Despite individual talents like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker averaging over 26 points per game, the Suns have failed to clinch victories consistently, losing 12 out of their last 14 games.
Minnesota Timberwolves: While showing signs of improvement, there are doubts about Anthony Edwards receiving adequate support from teammates like Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle to make a significant impact.
Dallas Mavericks: The absence of Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford raises concerns about their competitiveness, and uncertainties linger regarding their readiness upon return.
Golden State Warriors: With stars like Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, the Warriors remain a formidable force to watch.

"The Lakers got Luka, they got LeBron, and now they got a defense. Damn, they can take the West. They really, really can."
— Michael Wilbon [06:30]

5. LeBron James: The Face of the NBA and Media Dynamics

Transitioning from team analyses, the discussion shifts to LeBron James' recent comments questioning the desirability of being the NBA's face. Wilbon explores the interplay between media scrutiny and athlete personas, referencing a previous conversation where Wilbon responded to LeBron's sentiments.

a. Social Media's Dual-Edged Sword

Channing Frye contributes to the conversation by addressing the layers of media interaction in the digital age. He acknowledges the benefits and drawbacks of social media for stars like LeBron, noting that while it offers a platform for personal branding, it also opens the door to heightened criticism and comparisons.

"We live in a world that is largely negative, having nothing to do with sports. That's the world we live in, and you live in it."
— Channing Frye [04:13]

Frye contends that LeBron's success is intertwined with media attention, which fuels both his popularity and the inevitable comparisons to legends like Michael Jordan.

b. Michael Wilbon on Media's Role in Elevating LeBron

Wilbon counters Frye's perspective by emphasizing the media's pivotal role in magnifying LeBron's stature. He argues that continuous coverage and discussion have directly contributed to LeBron's financial and reputational growth, positioning him as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

"By talking about him, by prioritizing him with our coverage, we've assisted in that."
— Michael Wilbon [05:52]

Wilbon further asserts that while the media's focus has undeniably elevated LeBron, it also breeds resentment and unrealistic expectations from fans and the public.

"We're not on LeBron James' payroll. But guess what? We damn sure helped elevate his payroll, because by talking about him so much and praising him and recognizing him and popularizing him, it's facilitated him making money."
— Michael Wilbon [05:52]

6. Concluding Thoughts

Stephen A. Smith wraps up the episode by reinforcing the Lakers' potential to dominate the Western Conference, thanks to their balanced offense and formidable defense. He juxtaposes this with the intricate dynamics of media relations surrounding superstar athletes like LeBron James, highlighting the complex relationship between sports figures and their public personas.

Notable Quotes

"The Lakers are on a roll, and many are starting to wonder if they can win the West. I'm here to tell you they can win the west."
— Michael Wilbon [01:06]
"Nobody anticipated that. So we got to give love where it's due, respect where it's due."
— Michael Wilbon [03:45]
"The Lakers got Luka, they got LeBron, and now they got a defense. Damn, they can take the West. They really, really can."
— Michael Wilbon [06:30]
"We live in a world that is largely negative, having nothing to do with sports. That's the world we live in, and you live in it."
— Channing Frye [04:13]
"By talking about him, by prioritizing him with our coverage, we've assisted in that."
— Michael Wilbon [05:52]
"We're not on LeBron James' payroll. But guess what? We damn sure helped elevate his payroll, because by talking about him so much and praising him and recognizing him and popularizing him, it's facilitated him making money."
— Michael Wilbon [05:52]

This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the Lakers' strategic advantages and their standing in the competitive Western Conference. Additionally, it provides insightful commentary on the broader implications of media influence on star athletes, encapsulating both the benefits and challenges that come with immense public attention.

Transcript

Greg Rosenthal (0:00)

What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Julie Swerbinks (0:30)

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

Nate Thompson (0:35)

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

Julie Swerbinks (0:38)

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

Nate Thompson (0:41)

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

Julie Swerbinks (0:46)

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

Nate Thompson (0:50)

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

Julie Swerbinks (0:55)

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and JSP on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Michael Wilbon (1:06)

We got to get started with the NBA, where don't look now, but the Los Angeles Lakers have climbed all the way up to the top two seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers swept two games against the Clippers Friday and Sunday. The Lakers have now won six straight games and 12 of the last 14. They're 6 and 2 with Luka Doncic in the lineup. And LeBron James is putting up numbers reminiscent of his MVP season. The Lakers on a roll, and many are starting to wonder if they can win the West. I'm here to tell you they can win the west. But it's not just because of LeBron James. It's not because you're expecting and anticipating that Luka Doncic is going to go berserk. It's because of the way the Lakers are playing defense. That brings us to J.J. redick. Did you know that over the last six and a half week, the Lakers are the number one defensive team in the NBA, efficiency wise. Number one. That is special. Nobody anticipated that. So we got to give love where it's due, respect where it's due. And we got to start contemplating whether or not the Lakers can indeed come out of the West. Now, when I think about okc, I'm thinking about Shay Gilgis, Alexander. I'm thinking about Jalen Williams. I'm thinking about Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. I'm thinking about the brothers that they got playing in that squad, youthful, exuberant athleticism, three point shooting ability, shot blocking ability, defensive prowess, they've got like nine different categories that they're number one in. All of those things play a role. The question is, will their youth get the better of them, particularly going up against some more experienced teams. Dare I say the Los Angeles Lakers. We look at Memphis, they struggle shooting the ball. We look at Houston, they're too young. We look at Denver, they don't have a bench. We look at the Clippers, we see what the Lakers have already done to them. We look at the Phoenix Suns, they're non existent. They've lost like 12 their last 14. Despite Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both averaging over 26 points a game. They can't win a game to save their damn life. The Minnesota Timberwolves are winning games. But do you really, really wonder whether or not Anthony Edwards is going to have the help he needs from a Rudy Gobert, from a Julius Randle and others to really make some noise out in the Western Conference? And of course there is the Dallas Mavericks, who everybody believes could make some noise. But then again, Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford is out. When are they coming back? And when they do come back, how ready are they going to be? There's a whole bunch of things to point to throughout the Western Conference. And we can't forget the Golden State warriors either. Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler and those boys. Whole bunch of things to point to. But here's the bottom line. The Lakers got luka, they got LeBron, and now they got a defense. Damn, they can take the West. They really, really can. Now, forgive me for transitioning to another NBA topic, but I want to follow up on a conversation from last week where LeBron James wondered why anyone would want to be the face of the NBA. James essentially blamed the media for being critical of the players in the game who are compared to the legends in the sport. I gave my thoughts on the issue last Friday and then my buddy the Godfather, the one and only Michael Wilbond from pt, I, pardon the interruption, weighed in on the subject himself. Take a listen to what my man Wil Bond had to say.