Former LeBron James Teammate Explains Why Luka Doncic Lakers Pairing Will Fail

21-time All-NBA Los Angeles Lakers combo forward LeBron James' first playoff run with five-time All-NBA First Team L.A. guard Luka Doncic ended in near-disaster this spring, as the 50-32 Lakers fell in just five games to the lower-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.

Los Angeles' obvious lack of a serviceable traditional center became glaringly apparent when four-time Defensive Player of the Year five Rudy Gobert kept rejecting everyone at the rim, but even the size and scoring talent of three-time All-Star power forward Julius Randle and the two-way athleticism of perimeter threats Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels bugged the Lakers.

Now, L.A. has revamped itself somewhat, letting 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith depart the team to sign with the Houston Rockets in free agency and bringing in center Deandre Ayton and power forward Jake LaRavia to shore up its frontcourt depth.

But many are skeptical that, in a talented Western Conference, the Lakers can break through. Teams like the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the retooled Rockets, the Timberwolves (who've made two consecutive West Finals), and the deeper Denver Nuggets all project to contend for deep playoff runs.

A former championship James teammate, ex-Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooting forward Channing Frye, joined the chorus of doubters.

On a recent episode of his "Road Trippin'" podcast alongside fellow 2016 Cavaliers champion Richard Jefferson and host Allie Clifton, Frye laid out the case for why the pairing of James and Doncic is doomed to fall short in the conference.