Stephen A. Smith, The Lakers, and the Shifting Winds

Stephen A. Smith, bless his heart, can be as predictable as sunrise sometimes. But even a broken clock is right twice a day, and when the Lakers strung together their sixth straight win by beating the Rockets 134-109 on March 19th, even Stephen A. had to tip his cap. For weeks, he’d been on his usual Lakers-are-washed soapbox, blasting Darvin Ham and questioning LeBron James’s leadership. But that Rockets game, a dominant performance where Austin Reaves dropped 26 points and D'Angelo Russell dished out 9 assists, seemed to flip a switch in the ESPN firebrand.

Look, it’s not like the Lakers suddenly became world-beaters overnight. That winning streak included victories over the Raptors, Magic, and Bulls – not exactly a murderer's row. Still, there was a noticeable change in their play. Since the All-Star break, the team has played with a different kind of urgency. Anthony Davis, in particular, looked re-energized. He averaged 26.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks during that six-game stretch, reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the league’s most dominant bigs when healthy. His 40-point, 15-rebound effort against the Timberwolves on March 3rd was a masterclass.

Here's the thing: Stephen A.'s praise, while a bit late, wasn't entirely unwarranted. The Lakers, after a dismal 2-10 start to the season, had been slowly, painstakingly climbing back into contention. Their offensive rating, which sat in the bottom five for much of December, improved steadily. By the end of March, they were flirting with the top half of the league in several key categories. The trade deadline acquisitions, especially Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt, undeniably gave them a jolt. Vanderbilt, with his relentless energy and defensive versatility, quickly became a fan favorite, averaging nearly 9 rebounds and a steal in his first month with the team.

The King's Gambit

Real talk: this whole "LeBron needs to do more" narrative from Stephen A. often misses the point. James, even at 38, was still putting up insane numbers, averaging over 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists through March. His game against the Knicks on March 12th, where he had 37 points and 8 assists, showed he could still take over when needed. But what these recent wins highlighted was the improved supporting cast. Reaves, for example, transformed from an undrafted role player into a legitimate third scoring option, especially after the All-Star break. His efficiency from deep jumped from 35% in January to over 40% in March.

This late-season surge felt different from previous Lakers attempts to right the ship. There was a genuine chemistry developing, a sense that the players were finally buying into Ham’s system. They were playing faster, moving the ball with more purpose, and defending with a renewed intensity. The Lakers were giving up just 107.5 points per game during their six-game win streak, a significant improvement from their early-season struggles.

My hot take? Stephen A. only praises the Lakers when it's safe to do so, once the narrative has already shifted. He's a weather vane, not a meteorologist. The real credit for this turnaround belongs to Davis finding his rhythm and the role players stepping up.

And my bold prediction: the Lakers will not only make the playoffs, but they will win at least one series. This team, when healthy, has the star power and defensive grit to surprise a lot of people.