Ex-champion believes LeBron James and Luka Doncic should be worried about facing Warriors in first round

The Golden State Warriors could end up playing LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

Ex-champion believes LeBron James and Luka Doncic should be worried about facing Warriors in first round

Warriors could be a problem for LeBron James and Lakers in playoffs 1st round

LeBron James and Luka Doncic make a dangerous combination. Add Austin Reaves into it along with the robust Los Angeles Lakers’ defense and second unit, and the team are one of major contenders for a deep playoff run.

James outlined how the combination of him, Doncic and Reaves are a headache for opposition defenses. His belief is that when all three are on the floor, their opponents will have to pick and choose who to guard. That helps them release one or the other to score.

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There are only a handful or teams that can guard the Lakers star trio, while not allowing role players to leak out from behind. Younger teams can utilize their athleticism on defense, whereas older teams can intelligently execute the best schemes. The latter is what former champion Paul Pierce believes will be the Lakers’ undoing.

It’s real bad news. Jimmy Butler, it’s a new look team. This is the one team that can bounce the Lakers in the 1st round. I would rather play against three All-Stars then three Hall of Famers. I think Luka is worried about Draymond and Jimmy Butler, two guys who can guard him.

Paul Pierce said

The Boston Celtics legend believes the Golden State Warriors’ collective intelligence and experience will undermine the Los Angeles Lakers. He expects Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler to use their awareness to wreak havoc on Luka Doncic and the Lakers offense.

If they neutralize the Slovenian, it will place a lot of pressure on LeBron James and the others to perform. That is where Pierce believes the game will change. Over a playoff series, both teams will be playing a game of chess. Usually, the experienced one’s win.

Lakers should hope they can avoid Warriors in first round

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently cruising ahead of the Houston Rockets. If they win, they will stand at 50-31. However, it will not secure third place, considering the Denver Nuggets won against the Memphis Grizzlies and stand at 49-32.

If the Los Angeles Clippers win, they will tie the Thunder and stand in fifth place. The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently sixth, but the Golden State Warriors will likely win against the Portland Trail Blazer.

That should place them back at 6th. It could still change in the regular season finale if the Clippers manage to do the Lakers a favor and defeat the Warriors. The Timberwolves have an easy matchup against the Utah Jazz and the Nuggets will also win easily against a rested Rockets.

This means, the Clippers will end up decided if the Warriors do face the Lakers in the first round. The Lakers hope the Warriors do not end up in sixth, which would avoid the matchup Paul Pierce has been talking about.

Draymond Green ‘hated’ LeBron James initially

Draymond Green is that one player who sets the tone for the Golden State Warriors’ defense. His play this season has propelled him into the DPOY conversation, and the Los Angeles Lakers know the superstar will be the one to watch out.

Green though, is one of LeBron James’ closest friends and has gloated about how he sees the Lakers superstar. But it was not always rosy between the two and they nearly came to blows during a game. The 35-year-old reveals how it all changed.

I hated Bron, we didn’t have no relationship at all. I realized, ‘Dang, bro really just like me. He uses the same lingo I use, he’s from a place just like me’ and we started to build from there, but it started off hectic.

Draymond Green said

Draymond Green revealed that LeBron James gave up his seat and travelled in a different plane to reach the same destination. Then they stayed in different houses. But that trip brought them closer and eventually they became best of friends who have each other’s back, just not on the court.