NBA Legend Makes Very Bold Lakers Statement

Gilbert Arenas made a bold statement about the Lakers' playoff chances.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the NBA world when they went from a play-in tournament team to being in the Western Conference Finals. They haven't looked quite as good this season, but one former All-Star believes they could still do it again.

Gilbert Arenas spoke with Shannon Sharpe on the Nightcap podcast about the possibility of the Lakers repeating a Western Conference Finals trip. Surprisingly, Arenas believes it's possible.

"They do," Arenas said on the Lakers' ability to get to the Western Conference Finals. "It all depends on LeBron. It ain't the Lakers' next gear, it's LeBron's next gear. It's all positioned at this point right now we're at what, the 10th seed?"

When it comes to the play-in tournament itself, the former Grizzlies guard believes that the Lakers could easily defeat the Golden State Warriors. After that, he believes the Lakers could beat either the Mavericks or the Suns.

We'll play, let's say Golden State, the in-season game, we will beat them. We're just gonna hit the glass and AD and LeBron attack the rim because they don't know how to defend the rim at this point. They're not going to shoot any free throws. Then we're going to play, what, between Dallas and Phoenix."

Even if the Lakers make it out of the play-in tournament, they'll face either the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. While they have a chance against a team like the Thunder, the same can't be said about the Nuggets.

Related Articles

Lakers Player Slams Dillon Brooks for LeBron James Antics

Major Development in Ja Morant's Friend's Criminal Charges Revealed

Boston Celtics Star Gets Honest About Relationship With Marcus Smart