Following a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, the Lakers are in desperate need of a win to get back on track this season. But after LeBron James and Anthony Davis were officially listed as out for tonight’s game against the Boston Celtics, the odds are not looking good that they can pull out a win and get back on .500.
“Los Angeles Lakers say Anthony Davis (bilateral Achilles tendinopathy & left hip spasm) and LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) are out tonight against the Boston Celtics,” reported Chris Haynes hours before tipoff.
Davis and James looked healthy enough to play just two days ago, so we can only assume that they decided to take this game off for the sake of injury prevention. While it’s not a particularly new or unpopular practice, it’s become increasingly controversial in recent years thanks to public condemnation from the media and fans. Even so, load management lives on in the NBA, and the Lakers are the primary example of why it may never die out.
Another Case Of Load Management?
At 39 years old, LeBron James arguably has a good excuse to be cautious with his health and long-term durability. The same can be said for Anthony Davis, given his extensive injury history that goes back to his early days in the league. But when healthy players sit out random regular-season games, it’s to the detriment of the fans, who miss out on seeing the players they paid to watch simply because they didn’t feel like showing up that day.
On social media, it’s no surprise that the fans came together to (rightfully) rip the Lakers and continue their campaign against load management.
sorry boss can't come in today, my peroneal tendinopathy is acting up
— Optimus (@OptimusDime8) February 1, 2024
It’s not lost on fans that load management comes at a cost this season, and we know the league has been trying to shut it down. Most recently, the new 65-game eligibility rule gave a penalty penalty for players who fail to attend 80% of their games.
These are the people that the 65-game rule was put in for.
— PapiiLlame (@PersonClone) February 1, 2024
While the Lakers have yet to show signs of panic internally, the prognosis isn’t good right now given their record and their willingness to throw games in order to keep up with load management protocol. For some, the writing is already on the wall for this season and it may have been doomed from the start…
the season is over man
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) February 1, 2024
No matter how you feel about LeBron, Davis, or the Lakers, this move just isn’t a good look for them and it’s a slap in the face to the NBA, who scheduled tonight’s game as a Primetime national televised event. Now, a blowout seems more likely than ever as the already mediocre Lakers take on the best team in the East without their two best players.
Rough Season In Los Angeles
The Lakers entered the 2023-24 campaign with high hopes for their potential. Months removed from their trip to the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers doubled down on their formula by signing a slew of role-players and supporting talent to surround their superstar duo. Such signings included Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, and former Heat guard Gabe Vincent. So far, none of those acquisitions have worked out, and the Lakers are lacking the firepower they need to keep up with their Western opponents.
At 24-25 this season, it’s becoming clear that this team isn’t good enough as presently constructed, but there is hope that a trade can set them back in the right direction. If they can find the right deal for this team and build continuity between their players, it could unlock the best version of this Lakers team.
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