As the NBA Play-In Tournament looms, a provocative strategy suggestion from ESPN’s Mike Greenberg has stirred the basketball community. Greenberg, a seasoned NBA analyst and host of “Get Up,” proposes that the Los Angeles Lakers might benefit from a counterintuitive approach against the New Orleans Pelicans: sitting out stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The goal? To manipulate their seeding and potentially avoid a daunting matchup with the Denver Nuggets in the opening rounds of the playoffs.
The Strategic Dilemma Facing the Lakers
The Lakers find themselves in a precarious position as the eighth seed, one spot behind the Pelicans. A victory in the play-in would pit them against the top-seeded Nuggets—a team they’ve struggled against, evidenced by their 0-4 record this season against Denver. Greenberg suggests that the Lakers should aim instead to secure the eighth seed and face a potentially easier opponent, possibly emerging from the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings matchup.
“The Lakers should not play tomorrow night,” Greenberg advised. “They should not play LeBron, they should not play AD. They do not want to be the 7-seed. You want to be the 8.” His rationale is built on a risk-versus-reward analysis, arguing that the strategic avoidance of the Nuggets, who swept the Lakers in last season’s Western Conference Finals, might be a smart play.
Weighing the Risks and Backlash
This strategy is not without risks and potential fallout. The concept of tanking, or losing intentionally, is controversial and could provoke significant backlash from fans and critics alike. The integrity of the game and the competitive spirit of the players are at stake. Greenberg acknowledges the dangers but seems to think the reward outweighs the risk: “I recognize the risk, but I think life is about assessing risk vs. reward. Is it worth that risk to avoid playing Denver in round one or round two? The Nuggets are the one team the Lakers have no chance to beat.”
LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both reportedly named to the initial Team USA roster for the 2024 Olympics.https://t.co/t43CpCvqh5 pic.twitter.com/iiLNf6bf9J
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 17, 2024
Analyzing the Lakers’ Recent Performances
Despite the daunting outlook against the Nuggets, recent performances suggest the Lakers might not be as outmatched as they appear. In their last 15 games, their offensive and defensive ratings have been impressive, with the Lakers ranking at the top of the league offensively and 12th defensively, compared to the Nuggets’ eighth in both categories.
The team’s form suggests they could indeed pose a challenge to the Nuggets, contrary to the bleak predictions. This juxtaposition of recent success against the season’s overall struggles against Denver frames the debate on whether the Lakers should fight with their full strength or manipulate their path in the playoffs.
Conclusion: To Play or Not to Play?
The Lakers’ decision on whether to deploy LeBron and AD against the Pelicans will be a defining moment for their playoff strategy. While the temptation to avoid a powerhouse like Denver is understandable, the implications of tanking could resonate beyond this season, affecting the team’s morale and the players’ competitive ethos.
As the Lakers weigh their options, the basketball world watches with bated breath, pondering the age-old question of whether the end justifies the means in the pursuit of championship glory.
