The third seed in the West is still uncertain, depending on whether the Lakers want to face the Rockets.

As everyone knows, every team wants to meet the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, since this Lakers team lacks Doncic and Reaves, cutting their offensive firepower by half. However, with the Rockets losing to the Timberwolves today and the Lakers defeating the Suns, the Rockets have secured the fifth spot, while the Lakers still have a chance to compete for the third seed.

The current situation is: the Nuggets next face the Spurs, and the Lakers' final game is against the Jazz. If the Nuggets win, regardless of the Lakers' outcome, they will lock in the third seed in the West to face the Timberwolves; if the Nuggets lose and the Lakers win, the Lakers will rise to third and face the Timberwolves in the first round.

Although the Nuggets seemingly have control, considering the difficulty of facing the Timberwolves versus the Rockets in the first-round schedule, the Lakers are actually the team with real control. If the Lakers lose, they will face the Rockets. So, it depends on whether the Lakers want to be fourth and play the Rockets.

Honestly, from any perspective, the Rockets are a more "manageable" opponent than the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years, possessing rich experience in tough playoff battles, and the Lakers are likely one of the teams least wanting to face the Timberwolves.

In last year's playoffs, the Lakers' defense was completely overwhelmed by the Timberwolves' large physical lineup; fans hoped the Lakers could match the Timberwolves in offense but failed, and Reaves' performance downgraded under high pressure. This playoff season, the Lakers might even start without Doncic and Reaves, leaving LeBron alone to lead against the Timberwolves? That would require the James from eight years ago.

Another scenario: if this Lakers team is destined to lose to anyone, facing the Timberwolves could likely end in five games. Playing the Rockets might lead to some prolonged battles, extending the series and possibly awaiting Doncic's return.

This Timberwolves team seems perfectly built to counter the Lakers; Edwards has a knack for handling older players. Today, a depleted Timberwolves squad dominated the Rockets, even with Edwards just returning from injury and finding his rhythm. It's hard to imagine the Lakers, without Doncic and Reaves, gaining any advantage against the Timberwolves.

The Rockets are different; against the Rockets, the Lakers can at least hope for the Rockets' offense to collapse, like today's game where the Rockets shot 4-for-19 from three, resembling a team from the early 2000s. Of course, a playoff matchup between James and Durant would undoubtedly be the biggest highlight of the first round.

This is a Durant who can still score 2000 points in a single season, setting the record for the oldest player to achieve 2000 points in a season. Even when the whole team couldn't hit shots today, Durant still went 13-for-18, scoring 33 points with 7 rebounds and 7 assists, maximizing his output.

Similarly, this is a James who has returned to the center stage. With Doncic and Reaves injured, James had to become the Lakers' primary ball-handler again. Against the Warriors, he casually recorded 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists; today in the first quarter, he shot 4-for-4, including 2-for-2 from three, scoring 14 points with 1 rebound, 5 assists, and 1 steal. The full game saw another 28 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists, and 4 steals, with a +27 plus-minus.

Over the last three games, James averaged 28 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 12.7 assists, with a 60% field goal percentage and 46.2% three-point percentage. Regaining ball control, James' improved stats aren't surprising; more frightening is that his efficiency increased rather than decreased, and his shooting feels better than when he played a supporting role.

James seems to truly have that switch; he can change modes freely without any lag. Throughout the season, he adapted to a supporting role, and after his latest return, he even stationed himself in the corner. When the Lakers needed James to relinquish ball control to pave the way for Doncic, James willingly sacrificed; when the Lakers needed James to take over everything again, James proved he is still James, even at 41.

This season he has dunked 96 times, the most since joining the Lakers, surpassing any season in Carter's career. Many moments in these recent games make one doubt if this person is really 41 years old.

The absence of Doncic and Reaves is regrettable, but if we can see a full-force James at 41 in the playoffs, regardless of outcome, it would be a blessing for fans. Because this might be the peak performance an NBA player at 41 has ever displayed, unprecedented and never to be seen again.