LeBron James Reacts to Grizzlies vs. Lakers Playoff Matchup

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The Memphis Grizzlies are officially set to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. With the Lakers defeating the Timberwolves in the play-in game on Tuesday, they punched their ticket to a first round date with Memphis.
Lakers star LeBron James was asked after the game about the Grizzlies matchup, and he went in-depth on several rotation players. James acknowledged that Ja Morant is the head of the snake, but he also gave credit to Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Xavier Tillman, Tyus Jones, Luke Kennard, and others.
I asked LeBron for his early thoughts on the Memphis matchup. After listing out his scouting report for most of their rotation, he deadpanned, “Obviously, I haven’t thought about Memphis one minute.” pic.twitter.com/PeUJ4sXJYs
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 12, 2023
James and the Lakers know this is going to be a difficult matchup, but Los Angeles is certainly not an ordinary 7th seed. Memphis must be prepared for a tough first round battle, because while they have championship aspirations, they cannot look beyond this series.
Showing respect to a Grizzlies team that has been solid all season, James knows what he and the Lakers are up against. James joked at the end of his answer about how much he has looked into Memphis already, despite the matchup just being secured, which shows how intent he is about preparation.
Between Ja Morant, LeBron James, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Anthony Davis, the star power in this series will be incredible. With James having already scouted out the Grizzlies, he knows what LA is up against, and he is ready for the challenge.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.