Regarding the Los Angeles Lakers, Brian Windhorst is more optimistic about the franchise’s long-term prospects than its chances of winning a championship this season. However, Windhorst’s employer’s analytics department seems to believe he is underestimating the Lakers.
During Wednesday’s episode of Get Up, Windhorst expressed doubts about Los Angeles making a realistic run to the 2025 NBA Finals due to current roster flaws. Mike Greenberg pointed out that the analytics tell a different story, with ESPN Analytics ranking the Lakers as the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Western Conference title. “I am floored by some of the things that have come up on our screen,” Greenberg remarked, adding, “The Lakers have the second-best chance to make it to the NBA Finals from the West, trailing only Oklahoma City.” Windhorst retorted, “The computer doesn’t have to defend Nikola Jokić,” referencing the Denver Nuggets’ three-time MVP center. Point taken.
Mike Greenberg: “The Lakers have the second-best chance, according to our analytics, to make it to the NBA Finals from the West behind only Oklahoma City.”
Brian Windhorst: “The computer doesn’t have to defend Nikola Jokic.” pic.twitter.com/qIRomnb5tT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 12, 2025
Greenberg also noted that, while betting markets may be flawed, they seem to corroborate ESPN Analytics’ positive outlook. However, it’s important to note that ESPN Bet’s current odds have the Lakers behind the Thunder and Nuggets. This led to yet another epic Windhorst rant, wherein he argued that betting odds are not the best gauge for such a storied franchise. “There’s almost never a good bet you could make odds-wise on the Lakers because sportsbooks take advantage of the irrational Laker fan,” Windhorst stated. “I can’t even blame those fans because they attract players like Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James. So, while I understand their irrationality, I’ll disregard sportsbooks that have to balance the irrational wagers from Laker fans.”
Responding to ESPN Analytics, Windhorst said, “It is an interesting number. I just have to point out that the matchup advantages some teams possess will make it hard for the Lakers to overcome.”
Brian Windhorst: “There’s almost never a good bet that you could make odds-wise on the Lakers because the sportsbooks take advantage of the irrational Laker fan. And I actually can’t even blame the irrational Laker fan, because irrational Laker fans get players like Luka Doncic… pic.twitter.com/NvUMmqLiry
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 12, 2025
While Windhorst admitted uncertainty regarding the Lakers’ season and acknowledged JJ Redick’s intriguing views on the James-Dončić duo, he maintains that the substantial gap in the team’s frontcourt is a significant issue. This is underscored by Stephen A. Smith’s recent suggestion for the Lakers to sign Dwight Howard—an idea that Windhorst swiftly dismissed with characteristic humor.
