Lakers: 3 roadblocks for LeBron James’ 5th NBA title

May 2, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gets a rebound in front of guard Ben McLemore (7) against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gets a rebound in front of guard Ben McLemore (7) against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

Roadblock No. 1 for LeBron James and the Lakers: The top of the bracket

As things stand right now, the Los Angeles Lakers might find themselves with the hardest path in NBA history to get to the Finals. Where they may meet Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers, Kevin Durant and James Harden and Kyrie Irving’s Brooklyn Nets, or Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks.

In the top three spots in the West, the Utah Jazz sit at the top of the conference with both a historic offense and 3-point shooting attack, and the NBA’s best defender in Rudy Gobert. In second, a deep and talented Phoenix Suns team led by Devin Booker and Chris Paul. In third, an angry and motivated LA Clippers team led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Teams want a top seed so in a Finals run they may only have to deal with one or two of those opponents. For the Lakers, depending on how things shake out in the final days of the season and the play-in, they may have to go through all three of those top teams.

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Lakers have LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and nobody wants to face them in the first round either. The Utah Jazz could go down in history as one of the few teams to lose a 3-1 lead (last year against the Denver Nuggets) AND to lose a 1-vs-8 matchup in the first round if they faced the Lakers and lost.

Not a pretty picture, so the pressure is on basically everybody in this situation.