Kendrick Perkins Thinks LeBron James’ GOAT Case Rests on Lakers-Rockets Series

At 41 years old, LeBron James is expected to carry the load for the shorthanded and injury-riddled LA Lakers as they face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. 

If James leads the Lakers to an improbable upset against the Rockets in Round 1, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins thinks it will seal his GOAT case.

“If a 41-year-old LeBron James in a head-to-head matchup with Kevin Durant comes out victorious in this series, I don’t want to hear a damn thing anymore about the GOAT conversation,” Perkins said during ESPN’s First Take. “The GOAT conversation would be officially over.”

Perkins added that the Lakers are one of the biggest underdogs in the playoffs as they will be without their superstar Luka Doncic due to a hamstring strain and Austin Reaves because of an oblique injury. 

“When you look at the roster that he has, Jake LaRavia, you talk about Bronny (James), Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, against this Houston Rockets team in a head-to-head against Kevin Durant, LeBron James has everything to gain in this series at the age of 41,” Perkins added. 

James has been known for steering underdog squads to deep playoff runs since his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

However, James has seen a noticeable decline this season, relegating himself to the third-best scorer in the Lakers with averages of 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. 

Against the Rockets, he has to fill the production left by Doncic and Reaves, who are putting up 33.5 points, and 23.3 points per game, respectively, this season. 

Durant-led Rockets Better Not Lose To James’ Lakers, Says Perkins

GettyKendrick Perkins believes LeBron james has everything to gain while Kevin Durant has everything to lose in their playoffs clash.

While Kendrick Perkins thinks LeBron James has everything to gain from leading the Lakers against the Rockets, he expressed that it was the other way around for Kevin Durant, who will be the Rockets’ go-to guy in the series. 

Perkins believed Durant had all the pressure in their matchup against James’ Lakers. 

“Out of all match-ups that are in the Western Conference, when you talk about pressure, just in the first round, Kevin Durant is under the most pressure,” he said. “You better not f—ing lose to that Lakers team. You better not lose to LeBron at 41. I don’t give a f—k that’s what it is. You better not f—-ing lose.”

The Rockets will have a full roster at their disposal against the Lakers. Apart from the Durant, they will also have Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, and Alperen Sengun as supporting casts. 

For the Lakers, James is expected to dictate the tempo and carry the cudgels for the entirety of the series. 

Lakers’ Injury Update Ahead of the Playoffs

GettyLuka Doncic and Austin Reaves are expected to be out for the LA Lakers in their Round 1 clash against the Rockets.

While the Lakers are projected to miss both Doncic and Reaves in the first round, the two stars have been doing everything they can to heal in time for the series. 

For Doncic, he flew to Spain to get stem cell treatment for his hamstrings. He will fly back to LA ahead of Game 1. 

Meanwhile, Reaves continues to rehab with the team, according to Lakers head coach JJ Redick. 

Additionally, some teams expect Reaves to be back in the first round, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. 

The Lakers hold two victories against the Rockets in their three regular season meetings. 

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