When JJ Redick addressed reporters last week, the head coach stated that he assumed they were the matchup that every Western Conference team wanted.
Before the hot streak in March, the Lakers were often called pretenders. The surging Lakers quickly lost their power late in the year as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered injuries.
Now, hardly anybody believes in the Lakers’ ability to upset the Houston Rockets.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 14, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) waits in the backcourt during a free throw against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
One of LeBron James’ former teammates, Iman Shumpert, is among those who believe the Lakers are doomed in round one.
Iman Shumpert Drops Honest Prediction For The Lakers-Rockets Series
GettyKevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts with LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
âWithout a doubt [they have no chance]. Thereâs no cool way to say it,” Shumpert said on ESPN this week.
“I donât think that weâre going to be watching bad basketball, the way that everybodyâs been saying. They made it seem like itâs going to be a tanking series. I donât think itâs going to be that. I think they got competitors over there. Anytime you put superstars in our league in a position down the stretch to say it can be a game, if you leave five minutes on the clock, then I think LeBron James can make enough right decisions against whoever youâre making decisions against to make it a good game.â
Prime LeBron James could give critics a reason not to doubt him in a situation where he’s expected to go above and beyond to power his team through a playoff series.
At 41-years-old, the task might be too tall for LeBron.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Sure, the Rockets have had their fair of struggles throughout the year. Similar to the Lakers, the Rockets have often been described as pretenders, despite the presence of the former MVP, Kevin Durant.
But Houston did just put together a hot stretch as a solid teaser before the playoffs.
Since March 27, the Rockets have gone 9-1, with eight of those wins coming in a row. The Rockets finished the year with a 52-30 record, placing them fifth in the Western Conference. They were just 2.0 games outside of the third seed.
Anything can happen in the NBA Playoffs, especially if Luka Doncic returns to the lineup in time to play at some point against Houston. But look at the current circumstances, the Lakers are getting little support.
The Lakers and the Rockets are set to battle it out for Game 1 on Saturday, April 18. The game is set for an 8:30 PM ET tip.
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