After a disappointing first game of LeBron James’ playoffs, DeMarcus’ cousin is still not ready to panic.
In Game 1 of the Western Conference Playoff Showdown between the Minnesota Timber Wolves and Los Angeles Lakers, the Wolves stole the game in Hollywood.
Of course, James is one of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the great playoff performers, and the Lost Game doesn’t mean Los Angeles is panicking. But there’s nothing like a simple first round matchup in the loaded Western Conference. The Lakers wanted to take the lead.
One former player is not worried about James’ ability to bounce back in the next game, urging his team to only take one game at a time.
In loss, Luka Doncic scored 37 excellent points and earned half of his shot from Deep.
The one overlooked behind James’ match was the Austin Raves. He was also disappointed and only shot 38.5% from the floor. If the Lakers’ Big Three can play the way they finished the season, there’s no reason why the first game loss will reach under the skin.
“Obviously, that’s embarrassing,” Demarcus’ cousin told his defeated cousin. “No one wants to lose at home like that. But it’s one game.
“The Lakers also have two guys who have seen this many times with LeBron James and Luka.”
With a proven supporting cast led by James and Don Sic, led by the Raves, Dorian Finney Smith, Jackson Hayes and Louis Facimura, the Lakers are expected to bounce back.
“Is it time to panic?” I asked my cousin. “It’s definitely not, but no one wants to start this series that way. Obviously, you want to set the tone early and pop out early on in your team.
“But I don’t think this is a moment of panic. I think we’re seeing a better show from the Lakers. I think we’ll see a better show from LeBron James.”
This seems like a leap if Doncic and James fail to coexist in this series, but there are naturally a few questions about whether the Lakers actually made the right call to trade Anthony Davis for Doncic.
After all, James and Davis have proven themselves to be the title-winning duo, and James and Don Sic were blown away in the first game together in the postseason.
The Lakers front office won’t admit this until James retires, but it’s clear that he made a deal to prepare for success after James. This movement was not made to maximize LeBron. It was intended to bring the franchise to a second life when something inevitable happened. The actual rewards for 2026 or 2027 will not be revealed.