NBA LeBron James: The Los Angeles Lakers’ purple-gold dilemma

In the past few days, Los Angeles has once again been dominated by a 34-centimetre gold figure. The acting elite met in the metropolis on the west coast for the presentation of the most important film award in the world. LeBron James also received an award; however, on the evening before the glamorous Oscar gala. The Los Angeles Lakers basketball star was honored with the Golden Raspberry.

James received the mockery award, which sees itself as a counterpoint to the venerable Academy Award, for his performance as the leading actor in Space Jam 2. In the “115-minute long advertisement for everything from Warner Media”, as the jury smugly summarized the work, he helps a team of Looney Tunes characters to win Bugs Bunny, a basketball game. Just like Michael Jordan did in the first part of 1996. A classic basketball movie that’s been remastered but doesn’t live up to the original.

If you look at the games of the Los Angeles Lakers these days, the role of basketball player LeBron James resembles that of his film character. At 37, the exceptional player is setting personal records on a weekly basis and is the undisputed leader of a team that looks up to him. The crucial difference: Unlike on the screen, James does not manage to lead his team off the floor as a winner. The image of the traditional club from the NBA, which is worth more than five billion dollars, now has clear scratches. The splendor of glorious times is fading rapidly. Still champions two years ago, the Lakers are now threatened with a sporting catastrophe: missing the playoffs.

43 losses in 74 games

“It feels like another missed opportunity for me and for our team,” admitted James after the 108:116 against the New Orleans Pelicans, visibly disillusioned. Despite a 20-point lead at halftime, Los Angeles had suffered their 43rd loss in 74 games of the season. In the table, the Hollywood team slipped to tenth place behind New Orleans. Should the direct comparison with the Pelicans decide in the fight for the playoff spots, the Lakers will also be inferior there. From eleventh place, there is no longer a chance of participating in the playoffs through qualification. In addition, competitor San Antonio has just as many victories as the Lakers and the much easier rest of the program.

If you look at the sheer balance sheet, Los Angeles is actually just an ordinary NBA team this season. In most games, the team’s performances do not warrant participation in the playoffs. But in Los Angeles, the spotlight usually shines much brighter on the pros. The demands, both inside and outside the club, are higher than at other locations. The squad, a collection of well-known players who are long past their best, does not live up to expectations.

The Lakers lead just one of the NBA’s countless statistics this season: They are the oldest team of all 30 teams with an average age of 30 years. Los Angeles had already failed in the first playoff round last season. A sporting low blow, to which those responsible reacted by signing some old stars.

Westbrook becomes a problem

Russel Westbrook is a symbol of the problems in the squad. The point guard, once the most valuable player in the league, has been criticized since his first appearance in the purple and gold jersey. Westbrook is at his strongest when he’s holding the ball himself. If the 33-year-old doesn’t have that, his weak shot prevents him from having an effective impact on the game. In Los Angeles, however, Westbrook usually has to leave the ball to James, who demands it more and more the worse the sporting situation gets. A vicious circle.

This means that the 2.06 meter tall powerhouse sets another career record in almost every game: most recently he became the second player in league history to score at least 37,000 points. Leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a Lakers legend, will also overtake James. He has averaged 30.1 points this season, the most since 2005. The price: James is forced to play the most minutes per game in six years. An important factor in the bone mill NBA with its 81 season games.

James is famous for his outstanding athleticism and says he spends up to $1.5 million per season on nutrition and workouts to maintain his level of performance. But nobody wins the fight against time in the long run. James often looks tired towards the end of the game because coach Frank Vogel cannot give him the necessary breaks. After the efforts of the regulars, the Superstar would go into the playoffs far from rested.

In addition, the tension also increases away from the field. James is entitled to be involved in discussions about the club’s direction. At the beginning of the year, media reports emerged that James had called for reinforcements for the team. When the desired changes did not take place, the star player openly expressed his dissatisfaction. James is playing with the Lakers in the first season of an $85 million two-year contract. The attempts to build something like a dynasty with the superstar at the center have failed despite the 2020 title. The sporting future seems more than uncertain in view of the sporting misery.

James does not hide his personal concerns. “I’m going to play my last season with my son,” the superstar confirmed to “The Athletic” on the sidelines of the Allstar weekend. “Wherever Bronny is, that’s where I’ll be. It’s not about the money.” LeBron Raymone James Jr. currently plays at the Sierra Canyon School in California. The 17-year-old could be drafted in the NBA in 2024, by which time his father would already be 39. The four-time champion emphasized that he would do anything to be on the field with his son. Only music for the future.

James injures his ankle

In the short term, an injury to James’ left ankle is adding to the Lakers’ concerns. The superstar had finished the game against New Orleans, despite great pain, without success. The foot felt “terrible” after the game, James emphasized. His trainer explained that the professional had to undergo further treatments. “I hate missing games. It’s not in my nature,” James lamented in frustration.

When asked about the high expectations, the self-proclaimed king finally assured: “If I’m healthy, I can definitely meet them. I still feel that if I’m on the floor and can make a difference, we have a good chance of making something of this season.” If not, James beckons at the end of the season with another fruit in addition to the golden raspberry: the golden pineapple.