LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Until proven otherwise, LeBron James is still the best player in the NBA. And if he’s participating in a Play-In Tournament game, you’d have to imagine that he’s going to have a huge say in who emerges and qualifies for the postseason.
Even if he isn’t 100 percent, I don’t believe that LeBron is going to let his title defense end in the Play-In Tournament. Especially not against his old rival, Stephen Curry. LeBron is going to dominate the one game that it will take for the Lakers to officially qualify for the postseason and he is going to push the Lakers through.
The big concern is LeBron’s health. He’ll have a couple of days off before the game against the Warriors and then if the Lakers win, another few days off before the start of the playoffs. LeBron is going to do everything he can to put the Lakers in the best position to defend their title. We don’t have to worry about him.