Video: Watch Steph Curry's Response About Warriors vs. LeBron James, Lakers Play-In
May 9, 2021
If the current seeding for the Western Conference holds, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers would meet in one of the first play-in matchups.
When asked about the possibility after Saturday's 136-97 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Stephen Curry gave reporters a priceless response:
A Warriors-Lakers play-in matchup would be nothing short of a ratings bonanza for the NBA, which has recently seen its fair share of criticism regarding the play-in. LeBron James called for whoever came up with the idea to be fired last week, and Mavericks governor Mark Cuban said his vote in favor of the play-in was an "enormous mistake" in April.
NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Strategy and Analytics Evan Wasch, who came up with the play-in format, told the Washington Post the league is confident the event "offers more benefits than downsides.”
From an intrigue standpoint, a Warriors-Lakers matchup would certainly fit Wasch's theory. The game would almost certainly rival any single-game rating of the 2020-21 season and provide evidence for the league that the play-in should be here to stay.
