May 2022

An apology and a promise. After the terrible defeat of the Lakers once morest the Nuggets (96-133), the heaviest of the season and the second most severe defeat of the long and rich career of LeBron James, the King felt obliged to address the supporters via social networks: “I apologize to the Lakers Nation and I promise you we will do better.“To do worse seems particularly difficult anyway. A few hours before the message from James, another legend of the franchise, Magic Johnson, underlined the lack of effort of his favorite team while recalling that the fans deserved more than that. But if there is one who deserves better, it is first LeBron.

He is still one of the best basketball players on the planet following celebrating his 37th birthday last December. Time passes and his retirement is approaching but the number 6 from Los Angeles is still performing as well. He does absolutely everything possible to prevent his team from sinking. He scores like very few players did at his age: he is even the second best NBA scorer with 28.8 points on average, just behind the 29.3 of a currently injured Kevin Durant.

The Akron native has scored 30 or more points in 12 of the last 15 matches. Impressive. With even a series of 7 consecutive outings above 30 units. But he’s not even satisfied with that. He ensures the creation in attack at the same time, while playing pivot for the needs of a formation which is still looking for an identity. In fact, it’s simple, LeBron James would be an MVP candidate if the Lakers were ranked higher.

MVP stats, a soft belly team

Except that here, the Angelenos are far from playing the leading roles. They barely hang the Top 8 in the West! They are in the fight with the Timberwolves and the Clippers who nevertheless evolve without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The title won in 2020, in the bubble, seems so far away. The team’s DNA is no longer the same, with a lot of changes, very few of which have paid off. The Lakers are not even at 50% victory (22-23) following their loss once morest the Pacers on Wednesday night. A home meeting once morest a poorly ranked formation, also deprived of several executives, and during which Frank Vogel’s players had a 15-point lead before cracking. Once once more.

Even when they win, they are tough. This team is terribly irregular. She is able to lose 5 matches in a row before going on to win 3. But she never really gets into her season. No series of successes brings a form of serenity. The situation seems constantly tense. And on the field, it’s exactly the same observation: you just have to blink to see a wasted 10-point gap and Lakers who start running behind the score in panic and without finding a solution. The absence of Anthony Davis – hit in the knee – is obviously a big blow but it does not explain everything. LA had a tough time even before he got injured. Moreover, the balance sheet is negative with AD: 13 wins, 14 losses.

The Lakers simply have too many shortcomings to legitimately meddle in the title race. They don’t defend. More on the wings. Half of the players in the squad have little or no impact. Russell Westbrook does not find his place. Of course developing chemistry takes time. But they don’t have time! Half the season has already passed and they are too far off. Too far away from the Suns, Bucks, Warriors, Nets…and more franchises.

And LeBron James is struggling as he can in the middle of this mess. It frustrates him, of course. According to him, he did not dare to speak following the rouste once morest the Nuggets, for fear of going too far in his remarks. Frank Vogel almost got fired that night. He’s sitting on an ejection seat and might be fired following the loss to the Pacers. “I pat myself on the head because he tries so hard to make us win and we lose. I hate the fact that we waste our performances“, confessed David Fizdale in December regarding the King. A month later, the reality remained the same.

And if it was also the fault of LeBron James?

But if James is in the middle of this mess, he’s also… part of it. The status of the most powerful player in the world grants him many privileges. Everything goes through him, or almost, when he joins a franchise. Considering him a player-manager, a joke that comes up frequently on the web, is of course exaggerated. But he has a say in every major decision.

Like bringing in Russell Westbrook. A decision that completely weighs down his team today. LeBron campaigned for the arrival of the former MVP when the Lakers had a trade in place to recover Buddy Hield, a player who sticks much better to his side. They listened to their superstar, grilling themselves at the same time in the race for Kyle Lowry. Another player who sticks much better to his side.

How can we think that he did not also have an impact on the extension of Talen Horton-Tucker? The latter is represented by Klutch Sports, the same agency as the three-time NBA champion. James gives a special place to his comrades. Customers are all part of “the family.” THT is a good player, that’s not the problem. On the other hand, to keep it, the Lakers let slip Alex Caruso, an elite defender who partly explains the revival in Chicago. Another dubious decision on the part of the management. Either way, the Lakers’ recruiting is particularly bad. Rob Pelinka, the GM, can fire Vogel. But it was not the coach who offered contracts to Dwight Howard or Trevor Ariza.

The Lakers will be able to raise the bar but Westbrook’s contract – which will still receive 47 million next season – will block them for another year, barring a miracle. Except that time is LeBron James’ enemy. He’s still amazing athletically but he’s certainly not forever. For now, his end of career seems to come down to running behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the ranking of all-time leading scorers.

He will probably take the lead by the time he retires and that’s an absolutely gigantic performance. But it’s such a shame that he can’t enjoy it otherwise. He repeats it over and over once more:I only play to win.“And following such a career, it’s true that it would be much more exhilarating to see him fight for a ring once once more. He deserves it.