LeBron James is leading the heavily short-handed Los Angeles Lakers in the playoff series against the Houston Rockets. And his performances got Stephen A. Smith and Kenny Smith tallying his legacy with Michael Jordan's once more.

Before the beginning of the playoff series, Stephen A. Smith had predicted that the Rockets would clean sweep the Lakers. However, after the Lakers took a 2-0 lead in the series with James leading from the front, Kenny Smith admitted to a shift in his mind about the GOAT debate.

“You have an A, B, and C option, and Luka Doncic was A, you had Austin Reeves at B, and LeBron James was at C,” the former NBA champion said. “And now your C option is leading guys. …Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, and DeAndre Ayton have really played exceptionally well while the C option is leading. And I will say this…LeBron James has moved a slight bit closer to the legacy of Michael Jordan in my mind.”

While Kennard, Smart, Ayton, and Rui Hachimura have all played exceptional basketball in Doncic and Reaves’ absence, the way James has led his side might make many feel the way Kenny does.

Smith, who has most ardently placed Jordan at the top, also admitted that LeBron had taken a big step in the conversation. “I agree with you,” Smith told the Rockets legend. “He's moving closer to that GOAT status."

“To be on the Mount Rushmore of basketball as one of the top four players in the history of basketball, and to be deferential to Austin Reeves and Luka Doncic throughout the year, to play all five positions…[and] doing whatever it takes to win. …He's been absolutely phenomenal.”

The Lakers have not only proved to be better than expected, but they have also flipped the power. They have the Rockets’ back against the wall, and James does deserve a lot of credit for that.

Skip Bayless disses Luka Doncic with big praise for LeBron James

If Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were healthy, the Lakers would be the favorite to win the series. After the Christmas Day embarrassment, the Purple & Gold won their last two matchups with Doncic and Reaves in the lineup. 

After the Lakers won Games 1 & 2, a lot of blame has understandably shifted to the Rockets. But according to Skip Bayless, the Lakers are beating the Rockets because they are better with LeBron leading.

“I just think they’re a little better basketball team on both ends of the floor without Luka,” said Bayless. “The last time I saw Luka in the lineup was against a really good team on April 2nd at Oklahoma City, and it was 44-21 after the first quarter, and it was 82-51 at halftime.”

Bayless also credited LeBron for bringing the team together, saying, “In Game 1, I saw a team with LeBron orchestrating. LeBron has far less ego than Luka does. Luka has to be the whole show and can be a defensive liability.”

The Lakers will play the Rockets next at Toyota Center in Houston on 24 April, and this series is far from over.

So, do you think 'King James' will reign supreme once more to help his side win Game 3 of the playoffs in Houston?

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Souvik Roy