LeBron James knows exactly what’s in front of the Los Angeles Lakers, and it’s not just Kevin Durant.
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined to open the series, James is expected to step back into a primary role against a deep and physical Houston Rockets squad.
But while Durant headlines the matchup, LeBron made it clear the challenge runs far deeper.
“It’s the playoffs. You gotta be locked in,” James said after practice. “We’ve had some really good says over the last couple days and still have another one tomorrow and then a little bit of time off Saturday to prepare for Game 1.”
James didn’t shy away from praising Durant, but quickly shifted the focus to Houston’s overall roster.
“I think the last time we was in Houston I told you all how great he’s been since he picked up a basketball,” James said of Durant. “So that’s one part of it, obviously we know that’s the head of the snake. But it’s the Houston Rockets and they have some damn good players on their team. It’s not just a KD team. It’s the whole group. Like I said, KD is gonna do what KD does, he’s a Hall of Famer, we know that. So we have to prepare not only for him, but for the whole group…
“They possess some really damn good players on the floor, and we have to be ready for all of that. From KD, to Sengun, to the Thompson twin, Jabari Smith, Eason, Sheppard. Everyone who goes on the floor is a threat and we have to be ready for that.”
For the Lakers, it won’t just be about LeBron’s production, it will be about whether the group can match Houston’s intensity. Players like Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Rui Hachimura are expected to play key roles, while others deeper in the rotation could be called upon in a high-pressure setting.
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