For the fourth time in his 19-year career, LeBron James has been eliminated from the race to enter the NBA playoffs. This is the second time this has happened in his four-year stint with the Lakers, with the first time happening in his debut season in 2018.
The year has been catastrophic from the start, as the Lakers started the season with an 0-6 record in pre-season. They struggled through the season and never showed the promise that a would-be championship contender team should show. While LeBron had a historic scoring season for himself, he couldn’t carry this team to wins.
After all the talking that the Lakers had done about the team they had built, to see it fall like this is quite spectacular. The internet is collectively losing its mind at the moment, and a lot of hate is being directed to LeBron, who didn’t even suit up for the eliminating loss to the Phoenix Suns, a team that has now eliminated the Lakers in back-to-back years.
The Lakers have 48 losses this season.
The most by a LeBron James team ever. pic.twitter.com/S2YV3T6PrA
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1511562020172275716https://twitter.com/BeansGoated/status/1511568775685947392
how could you expect lebron to win! he only had four hall of fame players on his team !
— mansur🕊️ (@mansurshaheen) April 6, 2022
So now that we’re at the end, does @KingJames still want that energy his way? pic.twitter.com/912oB7KkHz
— Bugsy (@J_Bugsy408) April 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1511562020172275716
They criticized Steph for losing in the play-in and a year later their goat couldn’t even reach that play-in.
Life comes at you fast.
— Antonin (@antonin_org) April 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/CryptoKey98/status/1511557150006411265
— Kofie (@Kofie) April 6, 2022
However, there have been some fans that have also sent positive messages towards LeBron. The load he had to carry at 37 to make this team even remotely competitive was quite absurd, but that doesn’t necessarily absolve him of the blame because a franchise did pin their hopes on him being a GOAT level player even now.
I hope y’all know This has 0 effect on lebron james legacy with all due respect.
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) April 6, 2022
The lakers failed lebron james with all due respect
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) April 6, 2022
LeBron will be the only guy in NBA history to get criticized for scoring 30ppg efficiently in the game of basketball 😂 pic.twitter.com/dBGTBrcCzc
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) April 5, 2022
LeBron is averaging 30.3 points at age 37.
His team didn’t even make the play-in. pic.twitter.com/3lqL5Z3XrF
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 6, 2022
LeBron playing:
“he just tryna win the scoring title”
LeBron not playing:
“he gave up on his team” pic.twitter.com/23ObTRTVEW
— Bron’s Best (@LBJsBest) April 5, 2022
After a point, there isn’t just one factor to blame here. It will be ignorant to say LeBron is not responsible for this disaster. Even though he played up to his talent, he made poor decisions that shaped the roster and the team. As its leader, he needs to place the blame upon himself.
Frank Vogel and Rob Pelinka won’t be absolved either, and nor will Russell Westbrook. A lot of heads may roll in the Lakers organization over the summer. But we know LeBron will be there no matter what, and try to make something happen for the team in his 20th NBA season.
