Most NBA fans consider Fox Sports 1 personality Skip Bayless to be a LeBron James hater, and by extension a Los Angeles Lakers hater as well.
He is known for his acerbic takes on the four-time MVP, although occasionally he has given James some genuine praise.
But on Thursday, Bayless actually admitted he was optimistic about the Lakers’ chances for success this season based on how they looked the previous evening in their preseason game versus the Phoenix Suns.
Via Lakers Daily:
“In L.A.’s second preseason game, Davis was out, and other key players saw limited action. The team lost 119-115, but it played well when its key players were on the floor.
“The Lakers did enough in their second preseason game to impress sports analyst Skip Bayless. Bayless apparently came away from Wednesday’s game feeling like the Lakers could end up making some noise in the Western Conference.”
.@RealSkipBayless was very impressed with the Lakers 2nd preseason outing:
"I must admit, I saw the makings of a Western Conference contender. This team looks better than they did last year, because all of the fading stars on the bench are gone." pic.twitter.com/IPrE1617bY
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) October 6, 2022
Most are counting out the Purple and Gold this season. However, there is genuine reason for hope, as the team looked very good for much of Wednesday’s contest.
The Lakers built a lead that got as big as 13 points, as their regular rotation players looked cohesive and effective, especially on offense. But once head coach Darvin Ham took them out and put in several men who are fighting for a roster spot, that lead disappeared, leading to a 119-115 loss.
Still, L.A. has many more dependable role players this season, and although it is perhaps one or two complementary pieces short of being an elite team, it may have enough to be very competitive.
