Part 10/14:
The discussion shifts to the evolving Lakers and NBA landscape. The team’s impressive start despite injuries to Reeves and Dončić demonstrates the strength of their supporting cast and team cohesion. Whitlock notes that both Reeves and Dončić are relatively unathletic-looking white players, yet they are delivering exceptional performances, which seems to particularly irk LeBron given his history of ego and racial positioning.
Kenny Smith’s comments about LeBron 'taking a back seat' are scrutinized, with Whitlock arguing that current team success and the rise of younger, talented stars threaten LeBron’s dominance. The guests agree that LeBron’s apparent plan might be to avoid returning and risking being reduced to a role-player, especially as the team flourishes without him.