Nick Wright: “This version of Luka means no one wants to play him. He and his team are clutch and connected. I’m not picking the Lakers to win the title, but they are real contenders.”
now that the media is hyping us up it seems like a perfect opportunity to lose to orlando today
Lebron is breaking a record, it’s a schedule loss no matter how you look at it
100%. LeBron breaks a record? Loss. Jersey retirement? Loss. Honoring some Laker legend at halftime? Loss.
We are undefeated in LeBron milestone losses
Most NBA losses. Loss.
Most NBA wins. Believe it or not, a loss.
What record?
Career games
Thanks
With the heater Luka is on I wouldn’t be surprised if he breaks the curse today.
Not now that you’ve jinxed it. RIP Luka
Paolo will be dropping 40 unfortunately its already decided
he dropped 30 against us last game so i wouldn’t be surprised. wendall carter jr is questionable so hopefully he doesn’t kill us like last time
I don’t think you have much to worry about…
Yea the media is hyping them too hard now. Like they all got sent a memo to push them. Same as the Luka should be spoken of for MVP more. They don’t think he should win over SGA. They just think we should talk about him as a candidate more.
Then why weren’t y’all talking about him before this week? You don’t decide what you say on your own shows?
I can never tell if it’s the algorithm deciding that this is what I want to see or if it is a coordinated (intentionallly or not) change in media direction, but I do notice this kind of thing happening pretty frequently.
If the lakers go on a run: Lakers winning a chip, vibes are immaculate. If we go on a losing streak: Lakers are barely a lottery team, trade Luka and LeBron, fire everybody.
This is Lakers discourse in 2026.
I guess there’s no getting around it when you have to talk about the Lakers every single show.
Every May, so much fun!
Part of it is just sheer volume and engagement on social media. The Lakers have a huge fanbase that’s probably the most represented nationally of any other team. When the team is good, they drive more engagement and it makes stuff surrounding them more nationally popular. Hyping up the Lakers when they’re good is a surefire way to get views.
Okay so there are narratives that get followed and whatever; but Luka has also been a) on a tear and b) they’re winning. So at least some of this is organic
When was the last time we won in Orlando?
december 7 2022…yikes
It does sound bad, but realistically how many games do we play there a year?
…just the one every year?
one. but we’re also on a 4 game losing streak against them both home and away. i still remember staying a little extra time at work like last year so i can watch the ending of one of the games just to see us lose to a franz 3 pointer
I remember that game. That shit sucked lol
Wow. 1-2 over the last 3 games in Orlando. Despicable.
We watched Luka with the help of Kyrie drag the Mavs to the finals. The Lakers have a legit shot because of him. You never count out a superstar.
What are you talking about? They were great and they were 10x better than the Lakers right now
the mavs were an amazing team brother
They were a good team. Stop rewriting history. The Lakers are a good team. I watched LeBron drag the worst finals team I have ever seen in my life to the finals. Superstars can take less than great teams to the finals.
The fun part is there are 2 different Cavs teams you could be referring to.
The year when they went against the Spurs. That team was something else. He somehow got there with Larry Hugh’s as technically his second best player. Z was really the second best.
How dare you besmirch the great Boobie Gibson!
They were a near perfectly constructed roster around Luka. A team doesn’t have to be stacked with big names and all stars to be great
A near perfectly constructed roster does not feature three shooters as mid/poor as DJJ, PJ, Lively in the starting lineup. Yea, they outperformed expectations against OKC. But these are low 30% shooters.
A near perfectly constructed roster also does not have only two capable ball handlers. It was a really good roster with lotta flaws
I was a huge Mavs fan, I loved that team. They were nowhere close to “a nearly perfectly constructed roster.” DJJ was a minimum contract player, Lively was a rookie, PJ was basically given away by Charlotte. I mean, sheesh, it’s not even two years later and look at how those guys are playing now (or not playing in Lively’s case, Mavs’ training staff ruined his career).
Luka had a competent frontcourt for ten months in his whole Mavs career and he was so good with them that he somehow convinced a massive percentage of the NBA-viewing public that they were “a near-perfect roster.”
People look at the result and work backwards. That team made the finals, so it retroactively becomes the formula for success
You pointed out why it was such an amazing roster. They had so many impact pieces on low salaries relative to their value. Which helped Mavs become so deep. They were able to maintain good to great production for 48 minutes.
Even Kyrie wasnt on a max if i remember correctly.
Of Lively, PJ and DJJ, how many of those guys would start on the ‘24 Thunder? The ‘24 Nuggets? The ‘24 Celtics?
The answer is zero in all three cases. How can you have a near-perfect roster when your entire frontcourt is demonstrably worse than the frontcourt of every other contender?
“amazing team” lmao
Literally anything to discredit the Lakers lol
Mavs play better defense
Please don’t Laker Bros. We need this shit
You were almost right
Let’s go Magic!!
Almost
Naw, per NBA rules the Magic will be without 3 of their top 6 scorers, 3 starters, during a crucial part of the season.
Please beat orlando today, sincerely a raptors fan
What i love about the 82-game season is that teams can be called on fraud watch for 2 weeks, and then considered real contenders for 2 weeks, rinse & repeat
It’s supposed to be a trade secret but I’ve heard they make ESPN analysts get their hippocampus removed so they literally can’t remember anything past 30 seconds. They wake them up, make them watch a short clip and then instantly put them on broadcast before they forget again. I’ve heard it’s most effective the younger they get the procedure done, a bit like castratos. It’s a real craft.
The film adaptation? 50 First Takes
+2
It’s almost predictable that as soon as someone or a team starts to get the narrative shift that they have a stinker too. Especially with Luka, lmao. Media post their videos and podcasts like “Luka is back. The league is on notice.” and then literally that night they’ll lose a pretty mediocre game.
Bulls aren’t contenders anymore?
I hate how the media covers the NBA. The regular season itself is a test of what makes someone a real contender, but they try to assign value repeatedly through out the season just by individual games and performances.
Nick Wright loves being Charlie Brown with the football when it comes to the Lakers
Pretty standard boring, generic big-brand national media stuff
“I’m not picking the Lakers to win the championship….until the playoffs start, then I definitely will.”
He’s actually already picked the Celtics to win it all lol
He’s done it before. A few years ago, a few weeks before the playoffs he said he liked the Lakers chances against anyone in the West except the Nuggets - he said the Lakers had no chance of beating them. When the playoffs began, he picked the Lakers to beat the Nuggets in the 1st round lol.
Nick Wright is a Luka fan, not a Lakers fan
Hes more of a Lebron fan than he is a Luka fan lol.
He is a LeBron fan over everything.
LeBron fan not Luka.
Both
LeBron first. I’m sure if Lakers shit the bed in the playoffs he won’t blame Bron.
Aren’t we all?
No
We do have both of the most exciting European players. Not necessarily the best, but definitely the most exciting to watch
I really hope they start the Lakers in 5 thing again.
Lu Dort, Newport, food court, lakers in 5
ok this hard 🔥
Child support, divorce court, Lu Dort, Lakers in 5!
This is going to be a bore, Lakers in 4
Lakers in 🖐️
Fuck Shannon though
He looks like if Adam Driver became a tailor
Haha I was thinking tom green
They have a couple good players. But I doubt the contenders in the west are afraid of them at all.
They are getting hot at the right time and have three really strong players. I think LeBron can turn it on in short spurts and Luka might be the best offensive player in the league.
I wouldn’t want to play them right now
Ok, but you still need a great, consistent defense to win it all. Is Ayton really going to be that anchor?
I think Nick Wrights point is not that they will win it all, but that Lakers could cause an upset and possibly win a series against a clearly better team (e.g. spurs) since Luka is playing out of his mind.
You would be surprised. Smart has flaws but he is good for 1 win in a playoff series himself. Guy always pulls of a charge a steal or an assist in key moments. Scary times if he shoots it tho
Love and trust Marcus always, but he’s also good for one playoff loss a series too
you still need a great, consistent defense to win it all
2022-2023 Nuggets would like to have a word.
Nuggets has better defensive personnel than the lakers currently do. Gordon, KCP, Brown, Braun.
Lakers just have Smart and sometimes Lebron
Ok, but you still need a great, consistent defense to win it all
Not really though. The Pacers did not have a great consistent defense and they almost won it last year. The Nuggets did not have a great defense in 2023
They had this last year and lost in 5
They had a much worse roster around their big 3, Reaves wasn’t as good, and the big 3 didn’t have the great chemistry they do now.
Ayton and Smart in the lineup allow them to play much better basketball
Reaves was injured. Doubt it would have ended in different result though.
Ok, they might win a round if they play the right opponent like Houston, its still a coin flip vs Wolves/Nuggets imo. Second round and WCF they would be major underdogs.
Also, don’t forget JJ made some questionable decisions last year. He panicked and went all in with that no sub strategy. He is not some proven play off coach. He could crack under pressure too.
They didn’t even have a center last year. This roster is better than what they had after the Luka trade
Jaxson Hayes played like dogshit last year. Rudy Gobert looked like Shaq out there. I think Hayes improved this year and Ayton could make a difference if his mental doesnt give.
Also their bench isn’t as bad. Like it’s still bad but it’s better.
“They had this last year”
Smooth brain take
Luka’s playing 40+ minutes every game and the bench is still unproductive. Not sustainable for the playoffs
I don’t think teams like Denver or Minnesota are afraid of them but the only two definitively above them in the west are OKC and Spurs rn
Minnesota should be
I mean we’re kind of ass right now so we don’t want to play anyone, including the bad teams in the league
i’m laughing imagining the playoffs start and the wolves just being like “nah we’re good, we’d rather not play anyone. just not really feeling it right now.”
What a dogshit take; I’d happily take the Lakers.
He’s playing the long game like the Wolves do. Under promise then over deliver and reach the WCF
We should be scared of each other. They worked us last year in the playoffs and were undefeated against them this year.
That series last year was closer than people think. Only one game was easily won when Gobert went off and lakers decided to play no big. Luka, AR, and Bron were all playing through injuries too. They could probably win a couple games but I don’t see them winning a series against this laker team
I think a series against the Spurs might be fun. OKC would demolish the imo.
Yea, I agree.
Spurs would be interesting based on the massive experience gulf but I think OKC would wipe them in 5. Maybe a 6 game series where OKC goes up 3-1, but I also wouldn’t be shocked if they swept them either tbh.
sounds like we’ll be getting those Lakers patented moral victory games!
“cmon guys, i know we’re down 0-3 but we’ve only lost by a combined 15 points! this is a really close 0-3 series!”
We’re very top heavy. Our bench is weak and will get exposed again in the playoffs
Hmm, theoretically the stars play more minutes during the playoffs, so this may not be a huge concern.
Yes and no. LeBron and Luka is an awkward fit, and they’re just not very talented beyond that. They have huge flaws that playing LeBron and Luka 40 mins won’t fix
You never want to see a superstar in the playoffs. The Lakers roster isn’t well-constructed and we have the personnel to counteract Luka as much as it’s reasonably possible, but Luka is the kind of guy that can write a legend in a playoff series. Add in literally the most playoff experience you could have in Lebron, and no I’d rather not see them in the playoffs. Denver, spurs/Lakers, then everyone else in terms of teams that concern me the most.
Who are the contenders? Just OKC and SA? No team is untouchable, OKC almost lost two 7 game series in a row, and the Pacers weren’t supposed to be anywhere near a championship last year.
This, also I don’t understand why people are so high on the Spurs when they have virtually no playoff experience on that roster.
The playoffs are a different beast.
Other than OKC, I doubt any of the other teams would rather play the lakers than another 3-10 seed. The lakers are scary when they’re on. And they’re really great in the clutch. Afraid is a pretty heavy word so I wouldn’t say teams are afraid but they would definitely prefer to avoid them. Luka when he’s on, and Lebron are hard to deal with.
Nuggets most definitely want to play lakers over wolves. Nuggets fully healthy which looks like they will be are not worried about lakers compared to the other 3 teams….
Nuggets are 3-1 vs the wolves in matchups this season while 1-2 vs the lakers. Sure, the nuggets weren’t fully healthy in their last matchup against the lakers and their 2nd best player played really bad, but I’d take a weaker looking timberwolves over a lakers team that is on fire.
3-1 sure but one of the games went to ot and the other win was wolves without ant. No Watson and a historically terrible performance by Jamal and it was still a close game.
Lakers win against nuggets was without joker….. so dont just put out records without the context because that means nothing.
The Nuggets are a much harder matchup for the wolves than the Lakers
Any team that’s legitimately afraid of another team is probably getting blown out in the first quarter every time they play.
thunder absolutely want to play them lol
Thunder don’t care who they play until San Antonio comes around.
I don’t think they’re scared of San Antonio either, tbh, that team has 0 playoff experience. The Thunder themselves know what that’s like, given that in 2024 they were the up-and-coming 1st seed team with no playoff experience, and then they got bounced in the second round by Luka and the Mavs.
Yeah playoff defense is always a different level. Will be interesting to see how teams scheme against Wemby tho, probably will force rest of team to beat them.
That’s not fair OKC would be favs against anyone. Right now lakers would have a real shot vs Minny and Denver tbf especially Minny
I don’t see a scenario where the thunder doesn’t cruise to the finals
The Lakers making the finals is the Celtics only route to a championship
Lmao.
The lakers are too volatile to be real contenders. Luka, AR, and LeBron have to play at a super high level for the course of an entire playoff run in order for the lakers to do anything, there’s basically no room for error. The lakers are in a similar boat as the Knicks, too top heavy and too much has to go exactly right for them to make any noise. I guess that means there’s a “chance”, but compared to other more consistent, well rounded teams, that chance is pretty slim.
Not that you’re wrong, but if there’s any two players I’d trust to maintain a high level through a single playoff run LeBron and Luka are probably at the top of that list
Luka, AR, and LeBron have to play at a super high level for the course of an entire playoff run in order for the lakers to do anything
I mean, you can say this for literally any team about their top 3 players. If the best 3 players on OKC don’t play well, they will lose too.
No, OKC is so deep that if Shai has a bad game or 2, they can still beat anyone any night. Also, Shai is easily the most consistent performer in the league.
You misread or mistyped.
You said “Luka, AR AND LeBron.” Meaning all 3.
I’m pointing out that if SGA, JWill AND Chet all are off for the playoffs they will lose too. It’s not a hot take my man.
OKC doesn’t need Chet or Jwill to perform nearly to the same level as the lakers need AR and Bron to play at. And if Jwill or Chet have bad games, OKC is still the best team in the league. Their margin for error is just way greater than the Lakers. Same with the spurs, Wemby can have an off night, Fox can have an off night, they still have the ability to beat teams regardless because of how well rounded they are.
So we’re doing the same old overreactions again huh, just swinging on the pendulum every few games.
It should be a sub rule that you can’t post clips of this fuckin blowhard.
Is it 2018? You’re outdated g
First things first is the best sports show on TV
Said the same last year
And they still only have half a center.
If you combine Hayes and Ayton it’s 1 whole center. But they only have 1⁄2 a center (at most) on the court lol
Just play both centers at the same time and all their problems are clearly solved
Every year 2nd half of the season its the same thing lol. “Lakers are really shaping up to be a good team and make some noise in the playoffs “
F******ck now we’re going to lose
Luka has beef with Mo Wagner dw he’s going to get activated at some point
Fuck Nick Wright and this whole ecosystem of pseudo experts whose only talent is stirring up ether vaping nonsense. Elevating these town fools like this only reinforces all of the low cunning sports coverage everyone hates. So why elevate them further?
Tom Green is an analyst now?
You don’t want the lakers to be good because you hate the lakers
I don’t want the lakers to be good because the media around them gets insufferable
We are not the same
Sounds the same lol
Man I’m a lebron fan (not Stan) but I have to admit the national media guys that are lebron fans are probably the most insufferable ones
This shit is comedy why do we even talk about sports every day.
Yeah the spurs and OKC will smack the Lakers lol
Thank you nba asmon
They’re highly competitive, but their defense will be their undoing come the playoffs.
All these talking heads where saying the Lakers are not contenders all season long and now they all changed their mind. Lakers are still not contenders they are just playing well at the moment. They will still be eliminated by second round.
Lmfao. Get off their dick. 2nd round exit.
Thanks a lot Nico!
I think they are on a solid run right now, but i dont think they stand a chance against a full healthy okc/SA
Defense is just too important in the playoffs, and the Lakers have 2 guys that cant play a lick of it.
Tbh, they don’t stand a chance against us when we’re missing starters. Lakers’ defense is bad bad.
Guaranteed the Lakers don’t even make the finals.
Jeez, he sounds insufferable
Luka has a few good games and all of a sudden they’re real contenders?
I personally haven’t found them to be all that impressive when we play.
Hopefully he gets in some good RefCry reps before they lose to us again.
Of all the flairs…
How many times have the Lakers beat the thunder and spurs this season
Why does dude look like white Steven a smith with long hair
Would be shocked if Lakers get past round 2.
We heard same thing last year.
This is the goofiest thing every year. “Guys, I know the Lakers have been not so great all year but let’s talk ourselves into them yet again.”
I don’t understand people freaking out in the comments. This seems like a completely valid take. We’ve seen Luka for his entire career absolutely BBQ teams with less talent around him than this Lakers team. Nick isn’t saying the Lakers will win the title.
Y’all are overreacting
I find this splinter looking bum so annoying
Nick Wright is a fucking idiot
He’s inspiring generations of kids to aspire to being on TV making lukewarm takes.
Lmao, sure
Antman Batman Superman Lakers in 5
Every year nick wrong have Lakers winning the chip / top contender.
What’s with Nic cages illegitimate son
Lakers fans last month:
Lakers fans today:
We are top contenders and every team should be afraid.
Then when they get bounced in the first / second round the excuses will be immense.
Clown
Luka is playing like an absolute alien right now.
I love it when the national TV narrative flips for the Lakers. Just hook it to my veins.
This dude looks like how I imagine 3⁄4 of the r/nba Redditors look like
2nd in MVP voting
They want it to be true so badly….
Someone call his former fiancé and convince her to try couples therapy
Not to be a d*ck rider; its funny though how much criticism he gets at times.
When you look at the last graph, it shows how much more he had to do. Next to that, the rosters he has played with since his coming to the nba have been bad to mediocre (his final run with Dallas was his ‘best’ roster so far).
This player could literally make most of the teams with a decent center, 3nDs and a stable second guy final contenders.
They just aren’t though. Playoff basketball is a lot different than the regular season. They will not get past Denver, SA, or OKC. Houston and Minnesota might be winnable series for them but that’s it. They’re maybe a win 1 series and done team
They aren’t real contenders. This is laughable.
They’re a severely flawed team that’s hot right now.
Nick Wright is a clown, how can anyone take this guy seriously 🤣. If it looks like a clown, dresses like a clown, and says clown things, it’s a clown.
Luka plays defense now?
Get my teams name out yo mouth. If you can’t accept us at our lowest, you don’t deserve us at our highest
As a Spurs fan, I absolutely want the Lakers on our side of the bracket. Literally the only potential second round matchup I would prefer is the Rockets.
Definitely not legitimate contenders but it is nice to see this version of Luka again
If the Lakers win a title with Luka and LeBron, Nick Wright will cream his pants so hard he might have a heart attack.
Does Nick Wright think he looks good
Playoff luka can never be doubted. He took a pretty meh mavs out of the west to the finals
I have whiplash from the 180 of this team’s narrative
It felt like the Celtics were fine playing 2024 playoff Luka. People talk about that run and just leave off the ending.
When did Alexander Hamilton start covering basketball?
Does he still complain a ton to the refs?