The Los Angeles Lakers’ season got worse after they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday and have their position in the Western Conference play-in jeopardized. The Lakers blew a 23-point lead on a night where LeBron James had 38 points, and the fans were upset about it.
After the Lakers tweeted their customary post-game graphic with the score, a fan realized that the Lakers never include LeBron in a post-game graphic after a loss. This led to NBA YouTuber Kenny Beecham (KOT4Q) diving into the Lakers’ social media history and tracing all their post-game graphics to their opening night loss to the Golden State Warriors to see if they use LeBron.
Told ya. They not putting LeBron's pick in a L final score tweet. I wonder if he has that in his contract. LMAOOOOOOOO https://t.co/oRQgRM1E6h
— Depressed Lakers Fan (@CLF__423) March 28, 2022
Beecham revealed that LeBron, along with Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis have never been put on a losing graphic, while Malik Monk is the most scapegoated, featuring 10 times in the graphics after losses.
“The Lakers have lost 43 games this season, and LeBron James has not been used in a lost graphic even once. Not one time. Malik Monk has been used 10 out of the 43 losses, he’s killing everybody. Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook haven’t been used in a losing graphic either.”
The Lakers social media team got some explaining to do 😂 pic.twitter.com/sB5pNxXAFW
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) March 28, 2022
While it seems plausible as to why the Lakers are shielding LeBron like this, it is not something other teams do. When certain players are never used on the losing graphic, it can’t just be a matter of coincidence, especially when Beecham then also pulled out what he saw in terms of players used after wins.
Westbrook and LeBron feature the most when the Lakers win, with even Anthony Davis having had appearances despite his injury-riddled season. Conspiracy theories will run wild about this, but it seems that the Lakers’ social media team has a larger guideline to follow.
LeBron may miss the Lakers’ next game against the Dallas Mavericks after suffering an ankle injury in the game against the Pelicans. It will be interesting to see if we get yet another Wenyen Gabriel or Malik Monk sighting in their post-game graphic with whatever result they earn.
