This quote today from Stephen A. Smith about LeBron James on First Take: --- “They don't particularly like him. ... They'll never admit that. ... As great as [LeBron James] is, ... he's also one of the greatest manipulators of narratives we've ever seen.”
Stephen A. Smith thinks LeBron contributed to the deterioration of his relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers
Now people want to blame Rob Pelinka for the roster problems, but a lot of these moves were made to satisfy the roster LeBron wanted.
Lakers bent over backwards to please LeBron James. It was LeBron who pushed for Russell Westbrook even though GM Rob Pelinka & front office reportedly preferred keeping better roster balance and shooting around the team but LeBron overruled that direction and wanted Westbrook instead.
Until there’s real sacrifice at the top and smarter roster construction, this team is not a championship-level squad — and that’s just the truth.
Conference. Teams like Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves are deeper, younger, and more complete. The Lakers simply don’t have enough talent or flexibility to get past those kinds of contenders.
The so-called billionaire LeBron James on LALakers refused to take a pay cut to help the front office build out a complete roster. If he’s not willing to sacrifice for the bigger picture, then Lakers fans need to accept reality — this team isn’t winning a championship
Look at Western
THUNDER DOMINATE LAKERS IN PLAYOFF OPENER
Oklahoma City Thunder won Game 1 against Los Angeles Lakers 121-92 on May 5, 2026. Find out how this affects the playoff series.
#ThunderVsLakers, #NBAPlayoffs, #OKCThunder, #LALakers, #Basketball
https://newsletter.tf/thunder-beat-lakers-121-92-playoff-game-1/
The Thunder won Game 1 by 29 points, a much larger margin than the predicted 13 points.
#ThunderVsLakers, #NBAPlayoffs, #OKCThunder, #LALakers, #Basketball
https://newsletter.tf/thunder-beat-lakers-121-92-playoff-game-1/
Austin Reaves could return for Lakers in Game 3 after oblique injury. LA leads series 2-0. Kevin Durant also questionable with sprained ankle...
#austinreaves #lakers #nbanews #nbabasketball #basketball #NbaPlayoffs #nba2026 #LALakers
https://www.mondiaries.com/2026/04/game-3-preview-injury-updates-for.html
No Luka or Reaves? No problem for the Los Angeles @Lakers as they take Game 1 of the series in the NBA Playoffs as they beat the Durant-less Houston Rockets 107-98 to take a 1-0 series lead.
Steph Banatte
NewsletterTF
Ayana Scroll
Martinez Julian 🌹🌻