Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Not Taking LeBron James & Lakers Lightly

LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a first-round series win over the Houston Rockets. While that was impressive given how big of underdogs they were, they now face a much tougher test in the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers know they are in for a challenge, and conversely, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not taking James and L.A. lightly either.

“They’re playing really well right now, regardless of who’s out there,” Gilgeous-Alexander told Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated.

“They’re well-coached. LeBron has been in this situation — this level of games — more than anybody else in the NBA. We don’t take them lightly. To make it this far in the season, you can get beaten by anybody on any given night. We know, going into this matchup, we have to take them seriously.

“We’ve got to put our best foot forward. That’s what we’ve been focused on all week, getting better, making sure that we are a better team at the end of this week than we were last week. I think we did so.”

Gilgeous-Alexander also praised James and everything he has accomplished in his career.

“I mean, we could sit here all day and talk about all that he’s done for the game,” the Thunder star said. “Guy is one of the best players to ever pick up a basketball in the history of human beings… You guys don’t need me to sit here and tell you how great of a player LeBron James is.”

Neither team is giving the other bulletin board material going into this series, which is smart as it should be a tough battle. Obviously the Lakers wished they had Luka Doncic in the lineup, but Thunder star Jalen Williams is expected to be out for the start of the series as well.

Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and on his way to winning a second one, but he has been scouting the Lakers and knows James is still playing at a high level, making him a worth opponent in the second round.

LeBron James previously expressed belief in Thunder as title favorites

James knows what the Lakers are up against this series as earlier in the season, he expressed his belief that the Thunder should be considered the favorites to repeat as champions.

“I would agree, I would agree with you when it comes to OKC,” James said on his ‘Mind the Game’ podcast after Steve Nash said the Thunder are the favorites.

“I think they’ve shown the level of excellence over the last few years and playing at a high level and not getting complacent. Even in the regular season, it doesn’t matter if they’re playing a team above .500 or under .500, they go out and play.

“It doesn’t mean they’ve won every game, but they’ve won a majority of them and they’re the reigning champs with the MVP on their team. So, you look at them as the team to beat, as the favorite and that’s rightfully so.”