The Lakers are among the NBA’s top teams this season.
But not everyone is convinced even with the team’s 11-2 start. Former NBA champion-turned-analyst Kendrick Perkins doesn’t believe the Lakers have done enough to convince the public that they are legitimate title contenders.
“I don’t believe that they’re title contenders yet because they haven’t got a real signature win yet,” Perkins said on the “Road Trippin’ Show.”
“They haven’t beat OKC, although OKC is injured. They haven’t beat a Houston Rockets team or the Spurs or the Knicks. I need a real signature win-type moment.”
Thus far, the Lakers’ toughest matchups have been against the Blazers, Warriors and Pistons. LA’s schedule dictates when the team faces top-tier teams, but it appears that has kept Perkins at bay before embracing the Lakers as true title contenders.
Things were looking dim when Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic exited Wednesday night’s game with injuries. However, the Lakers revealed positive injury news about both stars at Friday’s practice.
The Lakers’ success is largely contingent on the health of Doncic, who escaped a major injury scare to his ankle. If the team can maintain its winning ways while keeping stars including Doncic and Reaves healthy, LA seems on track to make a deep playoff run in the post-LeBron James era.