Lebron James fails with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA playoffs. The statistics are devastating, the tactics raise questions. How big is the guilt of the legend?
The disappointment was written in the face when he fell into the face when he sneaked into the cabin after the 96:10 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the associated crashing playoff.
With rigid mine and lowered shoulders, James, who had dominated the NBA for decades, disappeared in the catacombs after the bitterly in just five games.
Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers failed early in the playoffs
In the past five years since the championship in the 2019/20 corona season, when the Lakers secured the title in the Bubble in Orlando, the Lakers only got beyond the first round.
In 2023, LeBron and Co. failed in the conference finals from the later master from Denver. Otherwise, the balance sheet is lean – three times that end in the first round and once the complete mission of the playoffs.
The crash follows the title
The question arises more and more: does “King James” be symbolized for the current decline of the Lakers?
The relationship between LeBron James and probably the largest, but certainly glamorous franchise from the NBA, started so promising.
Before James came to Los Angeles in 2016, the team had missed the playoffs for six years in a row. In the first year with LeBron, the first championship has been achieved since 2010. Through their 17th championship title, the Lakers were able to catch up with the archrival, the Boston Celtics, as NBA record champions.
The hope after this start was great that the Lakers could outperform the Celtics in the following years. But it turned out differently. No more championship followed. Instead, the Celtics presented again last season and could even further expand the lead this year.
James at the end of with horror numbers
It seems very questionable whether the Lakers can keep against the aging James in the future. The mega star is already 40 years old.
Especially in this year’s playoffs, the “King” was clearly noted that he went out of breath and defensive, especially in the final phase of the games.
The horror balance in the last quarter of James in the games four and five of the series against Minnesota combined: five points (0 in game four, five in game five), a throw rate of 2/9 from the field (0/2 in game four, 2/7 in game five) zero free throws each in every game and a plus minus statistics from -19 in game four five).
The popular TV show NBA on TNT wrote a graphic for the horror statistics of James with “Crash Out King”, ie “the crash of the King”. Even in games one to three, it didn’t look much better. In addition, James made many unnecessary ball losses, which were also clearly due to his tiredness.
Criticism of Lakers tactics
NBA legend Charles Barkley therefore also criticized at TNT : “Nothing worked today, especially on the basket. He only rely on jumps. If that happens, it clearly shows that he no longer had any strength.”
However, it does not seem surprising that LeBron went out. After all, he was still in the playoff series in the field at the age of 40.
That is why Barkley also sees the fault of Lakers coach JJ Redick, who had the starter around LeBron played too much: “He only used three players from the bank. I don’t understand that.”
The fatigue took revenge in almost all of the five games. Combined, the Timberwolves achieved 42 points more than the Lakers in the fourth quarter.
Experts criticize: James “simply overwhelmed”
In addition, Redick had the game played without a real center over long distances. He didn’t seem to trust the team’s only center, Jaxson Hayes. Lebron often had to play on the four (Power Forward) or even on the five (center) on the defensive.
The 40-year-old had to constantly deal with large and physically strong opponents and thus lost additional strength for the offensive.
Lebron James failed with the Lakers in round one
“At the start of the series, I told me that the Lakers think that the best line -up was on the four. He cannot defend Julius Randle or other big players well,” criticized TNT expert Kenny “The Jet” Smith.
In addition, the position selection would also affect James’s offensive. “He can only show his superpower on the three, because at least he still scares his opponent with his physique,” says Smith: “But he is simply overwhelmed against athletic power forwards. He can no longer avoid it with 40.”
“Of course he was the best player in the world for decades, in every position. But at the age of 40 he is only a player who can overpowers smaller threes on the small-forward position,” said Smith.
Lakers-star duo is missing game practice
The words of the NBA legend also becomes clear. James is no longer the dominant superstar of previous years. Of course, 24.4 points on average are still impressive for a 40-year-old, but he has not been able to wear a team alone for a long time.
This was also evident in the phases when Luka Doncic, who had to fight again in the series with his expandable fitness and minor injuries, was not on the field.
Also striking: The duo from LeBron James and Luka Doncic was not yet recorded enough for a hard playoff series. Only 21 games both played together.
James also emphasized that after the playoff: “It is always difficult to find yourself as a team if there is such a big trade during the season. That was for me, but also for Austin Reaves and the rest of the team.”
What’s next with LeBron?
Incidentally, James could stimulate that interaction, despite the playoff disappointment and his upscale age. ESPN writes that Luka is one of LeBron’s favorite players and that he has a lot of fun interaction with him.
According to the report, many NBA observers believe that he will continue, also because he would crack the record for most seasons with his 23rd season. So far he is lying on the same with Vince Carter. In addition, he is only missing 49 games to have most NBA games. Previous record holder is Robert Parish with 1611 games.
“Now I have to sit down with my family that talk about my wife. And I have to make up with myself how long I want to continue playing,” said James: “Then we will see what happens. But to be honest, I can’t answer that yet.”
The decision about his future lies with LeBron James himself. He has a player option of over $ 52.6 million for the coming season. If he continues, it would finally show whether “King James” actually stands for the decline of the Lakers or whether they can turn the tide together.