Stephen A. Smith Believes Lakers' LeBron Era Title Window Ends If LA Loses Game 6
Your Los Angeles Lakers are looking to punch their ticket to a Western Conference Semifinals date with either the Sacramento Kings or Golden State Warriors tonight, when they face off against the Memphis Grizzlies in what could be a closeout bout.
Stephen A. Smith of ESPN was asked by Molly Qerim on "First Take" about his feelings regarding tonight's matchup. Not only does Smith believe this is a must-win game for LA's current season, as a seventh matchup would take place in Memphis, he's also convinced it's now or never for LeBron James' title chances with this franchise.
"If the Lakers lose this game... the LeBron James championship era in LA comes to an end. I think this is it," Smith declared. "You don't win it this year, you don't find a way to get it done -- I'm just talking about at least [advancing] deep into the postseason -- I don't see the future being brighter for them because to me, if you lose this series, even though you've got an average age of about 26-to-27 years of age on your squad, you're led by two dudes: one is old and one looks old half the time."
In relative basketball terms, although AD has looked NBA-old for years, he now actually is for all intents and purposes. Davis is playing in his 11th season and has a ton of playoff miles on his lower extremities.
James, at 38 years old and playing in his 20th NBA season, has looked limited in these playoffs, which in part must be a result of his lingering sore right foot.
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