Stephen A. Smith: The Lakers are a bigger threat than the Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are returning to their full health with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. soon ready to play, but Stephen A. Smith still doesn’t believe that they will surpass the aging Los Angeles Lakers squad.

Smith sides with Lakers over Grizzlies

In a First Take live show from Tennesse State University on Friday, Stephen A. and Shannon Sharpe hosted a live Q&A portion with TSU’s students. During the session, one student said that the Grizzlies are a bigger threat in the Western Conference than the Lakers, and then he asked Stephen A. for his opinion on the take. Smith disagreed with the student and named his reasons why.

"I will say no, they are not a bigger threat than the Los Angeles Lakers," Stephen A. said. "I think LeBron is gonna continue to do his thing, I think Anthony Davis is gonna continue to do his thing. I think JJ Redick is gonna surprise a lot of people with how exceptional he's gonna do as a coach."

Stephen A. predicts Ja will dominate in his return

The host may have disagreed about the Grizzlies being a bigger threat than the Lakers, but he admitted that one player will wreak havoc this season.

"Ja Morant is going to wreak havoc," Stephen A. added. "I mean this brother is going to come back on the scene this year. He's going to do some major, major damage. He's going to hurt a lot of people in the league, reminding everybody just who the hell he is."

Morant is returning to his full health and he already played one preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks where he has shown glimpses of new connection with rookie center Zach Edey. If Morant returns to his form he had before last season’s injury the Grizzlies may have a chance of disturbing the Lakers' season.

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