The six-game series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs prompted sportscaster Nick Wright to highlight differing views of LeBron James.

After losses in Games 4 and 5, the Lakers won Game 6 on the road against the Rockets, 98-78.

Following the victory, Wright took to X, where he jotted down the consensus towards LeBron James after every victory or loss. In the end, the 41-year-old led the Lakers to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2023.

Wright noted the current sentiment around the series: "May 1st: 'LeBron is going to blow a 3-0 lead & his GOAT case is over!'" He also predicted the outlook the day after the Lakers won the series 4-2, writing, "May 2nd: 'Yeah, the Lakers won, but it’s actually not that impressive, the Rockets were pretenders.'"

After the Rockets won consecutive games, the Lakers were under pressure not to be the first team to lose a series after being up 3-0.

But Wright was certain that would not be the case, having full faith in James not to blow the lead and tarnish his legacy.

"My answer to why the Rockets can't come back and why the Lakers can lose Game 5 and be totally fine is very simple: LeBron James is not going to be the first and only player ever to lead a team to blow a 3–0 lead. It's not going to happen," Wright explained on First Things First on April 28.

James led the Lakers in scoring throughout the first round. He showed out once again in the final matchup, scoring 28 points, 8 assists, and 7 boards. The Lakers set the tone early with an 18-point halftime lead, giving them enough cushion for a competitive second half.

With that said, Wright also made a case for LeBron James' GOAT status over Michael Jordan after the Lakers-Rockets series.

LeBron James Provides Nick Wright More Ammunition for GOAT Case

The highlight of the Lakers-Rockets series came when LeBron James hit a clutch game-tying three-pointer to force OT in Game 3.

In that same game, James threw an alley-oop to his son, Bronny James, a play that drew widespread attention on social media.

Wright connected these two moments, believing his heroics in Game 3 were bigger than even Jordan's six rings.

“Hitting the playoff game tying 3 to force OT in the same game you threw an alley oop to your literal son is more impressive in and of itself than 6 rings,” Wright stated on X.

MJ's six rings in six finals have long been the cleanest argument for his GOAT status. However, apart from James' exceptional longevity, Wright leaned into the more unique aspect of his career. At 41, he is still one of the best players in the NBA, now performing alongside his own son.

Do you think LeBron James has ended the GOAT debate following the series against the Houston Rockets?

Read more at the Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Siddharth Rawat