LeBron James is not the kind of player who is used to being an underdog, but that is the position the Los Angeles Lakers are in going into their first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets.
Experts just are not giving the Lakers a chance. In a piece published on Monday, April 13, John Schuhmann of the NBA’s official website has the Rockets taking the series in five, saying that Houston would even “be a legit pick to win this series if the Lakers were healthy.”
Now, one Los Angeles Lakers beat writer has a truly interesting take on this series. He sees James being the savior for the Lakers and, in turn, Los Angeles “begging” him to stay after the series wraps up.
The Narrative: A Vintage Series Could Seal the Deal
In a Monday, April 13 piece for Lake Show Life, Svyatoslav Rovenchuk says that this series could solidify James’ return to the team next season.
“Realistically, the situation between the Lakers and James should already be trending toward a reunion,” he says in the piece. “The other possible suitors apart from Los Angeles are not overwhelmingly strong.”
So, if James pulls off a “vintage series” that takes the Lakers to the second round, that “would work heavily in favor of sealing the deal for this marriage to continue in a potential 24th season for LeBron,” Rovenchuk says.
“If the Lakers survive thanks to LeBron, it will be one of those moments that you tell your grandkids about,” Rovenchuk adds. “It will also serve as a clear identifier of the instance when all doubt was erased about him and Los Angeles deciding to run it back one more time.”
LeBron Peaking at the Right Time
LeBron is peaking at just the right time. In the final game of the regular season against the Utah Jazz, James appeared only in the first half, and in just 17 minutes, he wrapped up with 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds, according to NBA research.
This guy just does not age, right? If he has a similar high-octane performance against Houston, he will be back in Los Angeles for another year.
The Lakers are without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both sidelined with injuries. The burden falls on a 41-year-old James to carry a depleted roster against a Rockets team that finished with the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
But James has made a career out of defying expectations.
Why the Rockets Are Favored
So, what makes Houston such a favorite against Los Angeles? The Rockets are favorites in this series simply because of the stats and research. Sure, they should win, but that does not mean they will win. Sports are about more than numbers. They are about spontaneity and heart.
“Statistically, Houston has been the much better team, outscoring opponents by 5.4 points per 100 possessions, the league’s sixth best mark and more than three times better than the Lakers’ differential, plus-1.5 per 100,” Schuhmann of the NBA’s site says.
“It’s a very similar situation as last year, when the Lakers were the 3 seed and lost to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, who had the much better point differential in the regular season.”
The X-Factor: Kevin Durant and the Rockets’ Fragile Offense
The Rockets have Kevin Durant, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. They have Alperen Sengun, a rising star. They have a deep roster and home-court advantage.
But they also have a glaring weakness: no true point guard. Without a floor general to organize the offense, Houston has relied on “my-turn basketball” for much of the season. In the playoffs, against a disciplined defense, that style can be exposed.
The Lakers’ defense, led by James and Anthony Davis, has the potential to disrupt Houston’s rhythm. If they can force the Rockets into half-court sets and make Durant a playmaker rather than a scorer, they have a chance.
The Verdict: A Winnable Series
While the numbers favor the Houston Rockets, it is not enough to consider this an easy win for the team. This series is absolutely winnable for the Lakers, and that is why James could come in and push them over the edge.
The Lakers are massive underdogs. The Rockets are more talented on paper. But the playoffs are about matchups, about execution, about heart.
And no one has more heart than LeBron James.
If he pulls off a vintage series, the Lakers could advance. And if that happens, the conversation about his future will shift from “will he leave?” to “how long will he stay?”
The series starts this weekend. The stage is set. And LeBron James, as always, is ready.