Dec 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) talks to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Paul Pierce Rips Lakers, Luka Doncic While Discussing Their Playoff Chances

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Patrick Warren | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 6:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking forward to turning a new page as they settle into head coach JJ Redick's second year at the helm and Luka Doncic's first full season in Los Angeles.

While the road has not been free of bumps so far, with Doncic and LeBron James both missing significant time as the Lakers jump out to a 3-2 start, there are signs that this could be a viable playoff team come April.

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Deandre Ayton's addition to the team gives the Lakers an element of size they didn't carry on the roster last season after trading away Anthony Davis.

However, not everyone is convinced that the new-look Lakers will outperform their first round exit last season.

More news: Can Austin Reaves Keep Dominating Without LeBron James and Luka Doncic? NBA Insider Answers

On "No Fouls Given," NBA Hall of Famer — and documented Lakers hater — Paul Pierce gave an underwhelming prediction for how the Lakers' season would go this year.

"This is going to be the same story every year with the Lakers," Pierce told co-host (and former Lakers champion) Danny Green. "It's going to be the hype train, the playoffs are going to come and they're going to be smacked."

Will the Lakers fold during the playoffs again?

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Pierce has a point in noting the Lakers' consistent ability to disappoint over the past few seasons, as the Lakers have fallen in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons.

This year, however, could be different considering the explosiveness of the Lakers' offense.

"It depends on the matchups though," Green, who won the 2020 NBA title with the Lakers, responded. "They are very offensively explosive with Luka. I'm not saying they're going to win it this year, but I think they're going to be better than last year. Not that Ayton is a difference maker, but he changes things for them inside. At least a rebounder, somebody who can obsolete Rudy Gobert."

Ayton is averaging 9.4 rebounds per game in addition to 16 points per game so far this season, providing the work on the glass needed to keep the high octane Laker offense running while it's missing two of its most valuable pieces in James and Doncic — whose defense was also a target of Pierce's criticism.

The Lakers clearly have a lot to prove this season, particularly when Doncic and James are back on the court. Because, for now, Pierce has had enough.

"They're not beating nobody," Pierce said with a smile.