“Still has to Prove”: NBA Legend Scottie Pippen Takes a Dig at Lakers Superstar LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers will lock horns with the Miami Heat on Tuesday night in the NBA Finals. The purple and gold are back for a championship bout after 10 years, and they are the heavy favorites to win it. Moreover, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have performed at an elite level throughout the playoffs.

Lakers fans will expect the same performance from the star duo. On the other hand, the Heat are the polar opposite of L.A. They were not the favorites to come out of the East. Even during the regular season, Miami finished with a record of 44-29 earning the fifth seed. However, during the playoffs, they amped up their game and cruised through the Eastern Conference. Now, only the Lakers stand between them and their championship dreams.

Meanwhile, on the Lakers front, LeBron James has advanced to the NBA finals for the 10th time in his career. But according to Scottie Pippen, James still hasn’t proved himself as a leader. Pippen spoke about the Lakers vs Heat matchup in an interview with Forbes. He said:

“I give a lot of credit to the way the Lakers have played defensively but I think Miami is ready for the challenge. They have players that are playing with a lot of confidence right now. I don’t take nothing away from the Lakers and LeBron going to his 10th Finals. He still has to prove he can lead a team himself. I think Anthony Davis has shown he’s more valuable to them on the offensive end but I think Miami has more offensive weapons they’ll be able to throw at LA.”

Pippen’s take seems a little bizarre since LBJ has proved himself as a leader time and time again.

Is LeBron James on track to win his fourth ring?

It is true that without Anthony Davis, the Lakers missed the playoffs last year. But the other major reason behind that upset was the absence of their best player Bron due to a groin injury.

With James healthy again, the addition of AD has made the Lakers the team to beat. They are just four wins away from winning the NBA championship after 10 years. Moreover, James is averaging 26.7 points along with 8.3 assists in the playoffs. If he continues with this form, the Lakers could emerge victorious in the finals.

What do you think of Pippen’s take on Bron?