Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Former Houston Rockets wing Chandler Parsons boasts that if LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers win the in-season championship, it will give James a boost in the greatest-ever debate with Michael Jordan More love.
“In his mind, it was another thing on his resume that Jordan couldn’t have,” Parsons said. “If we look at the ‘GOAT’ debate, yeah, it’s just more love for him — and me and Lou (Williams) are talking about it again — I don’t care if it’s in-season or out-of-season “Middle”, these guys must be playing hard. They are basketball players. They’re playing for a contract. They’re playing for the All-Stars. They are fighting for their legacy, in-season or not. But one thing is for sure, this is just another honor for LeBron James. “
James and the Lakers clinched their fourth intraseason tournament win of the season on Tuesday against the Utah Jazz, clinching a spot in the intraseason tournament quarterfinals. In the end, Los Angeles won by 32 points. James played only 24 minutes in this game, but scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. He made 6 of 10 shots and 3 of 5 from beyond the three-point line. Point arc.
Lakers star big man Anthony Davis led the team in scoring with 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting in 29 minutes. He also totaled 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals for Los Angeles.
Utah’s leading scorer came off the bench against Los Angeles. Former Miami Heat big man Omar Utseven scored 18 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in just 17 minutes of playing time.
The Lakers’ three other in-season tournament wins this season came against the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers.
Los Angeles beat Memphis and Portland, by far the two worst teams in the NBA, by double digits. But the team’s Nov. 10 game against the Suns came down to the wire.
The Lakers trailed the Suns by seven points at the end of the third quarter, but led the Suns by 10 points in the final frame with a three-point advantage, 122-119.
Parsons made a compelling argument for why if James and the Lakers win the in-season tournament, it would improve his case for becoming the greatest player of all time. But at the same time, Jordan never had the opportunity to participate in the NBA’s in-season championship because the championship was not established until the 2023-24 regular season.
James and the Lakers will conclude a three-game homestand against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. The team will then embark on a four-game road trip.