LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were cruising toward a dominant series win against the Houston Rockets after taking a 3–0 lead. The Rockets responded with back-to-back wins, delaying Los Angeles’ bid to close out the series.
Ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. claimed that Houston had been the better team in the series. James strongly disagreed and delivered a blunt response after the game.
LeBron James Dismisses Jabari Smith Jr.’s Claims About Rockets Being Better Than Lakers
With Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves sidelined to start the series, the Rockets were seen by many as favorites. Kevin Durant has been sidelined for much of the series. Still, Houston appeared stronger on paper than Los Angeles.
The Lakers won the first three games anyway. The Rockets then bounced back with a 115-96 victory in Game 4 to regain confidence, prompting Smith to make his belief clear following Tuesday’s practice.
“We’re obviously the better team, I feel like. So just knowing that and being confident, trust in our work, and just be us. I just feel like from top to bottom, you can say that’s an opinion, I’m biased, I just feel like we’re the better team,” said Smith.
41-year-old James made it clear he has no interest in that kind of talk.
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“I don’t care about s**t like that, bro,” James told a reporter. “The game is won between the four lines. I don’t give a damn. Who cares? Of course, you say [your team is better]. Why would you say, ‘Oh, we’re not the better team’? Ask one of them young guys that question. I’m too old for that s**t.”
Players naturally tend to back their own teams. Houston can easily argue that the Lakers simply played better in the first three games. The momentum has now shifted, making Smith’s comments seem far less far-fetched.
“It’s just like a mindset to have, I don’t care who we play, I don’t care what team I’m on. When we were winning 22 games, I’d probably say we were the better team every night, so it’s really just a mindset to have. People are going to take it the way they want to take it,” Smith added after Wednesday’s game.
Smith led the Rockets in Game 5 with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Four other Houston players also scored in double figures. James led the way again for the Lakers with 25 points, and Reaves returned to add 22.
The series now shifts back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday, where the Rockets must win again to force a decisive Game 7 in Los Angeles.
