LeBron James’ assist game was one of the highlights of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
The four-time NBA champion’s 19-point double-double, coupled with 13 assists, saw 10 of the latter dished out in the first half. His pinpoint accuracy with the passes and high IQ play were instrumental for the win. This saw former NBA star Derek Fisher say James was in his ‘Magic Johnson era’.
DeMarcus Cousins Believes Magic Johnson Comparisons Were Disrespectful to LeBron James
Cousins, a four-time NBA All-Star, didn’t agree with Fisher’s bold comparison. “Him [James] playing at this level with two of the starters out, I think this is only a plus for the Lakers,” he said, speaking on Run It Back.
“But to say he’s in his Magic Johnson era, its kind of a knock to LeBron. Nothing against Magic, I take it as a knock on LeBron. This is a guy that’s proven since he stepped foot in this league to be one of the greatest playmakers to ever touch the floor.”
He further added, “It’s kind of funny because this is something that was kinda frowned upon early on in his career as being the guy that likes to make the right play, being a guy that gets everybody involved, making the guys around him better. And we fast forward to 20+ years in the league, and he’s still doing that exact same thing, but now it’s being praised as one of his greatest strengths.”
He went on to conclude, “The fact that his playmaking can still control an entire playoff game at this stage of his career is remarkable. It’s something that was once frowned upon but is now viewed as an invaluable asset, which is honestly mind-blowing.”
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Quite simply, Cousins was not surprised by James’ playmaking abilities, which he witnessed firsthand when he was on the hardwood in the NBA. That the 41-year-old was getting his flowers for his skill set was mindblowing to the center.
With context to the game, James dissected the Rockets’ defense with his accurate passing, where he dished out eight assists in the first quarter. This was pivotal as the rest of the Lakers’ unit found their rhythm as he led them with the right plays and direction.
“I got to do a little bit of everything,” James told the reporters after his excellent outing, per The Athletic. “It’s what the job requires.”
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Cousins certainly has his opinion. However, Fisher wasn’t wrong with his take, considering Johnson controlled games with his quick decision-making, reading defenses early, and picking his spots to find teammates who could make the shots. That the former Lakers great did it late in his career may have possibly dug up the comparison.
Should the veteran forward play at this level for the remainder of the series, the Lakers will have every reason to believe they can get past the Rockets. With no secondary star in the mix to assist James, much depends on how he sets the tone with his passing and scoring. Whether the Lakers’ superstar can guide the team home in the first round is the biggest question moving forward.