The Lakers failing to make it to the Western Conference play-in tournament has given rise to heated debates across the NBA, a lot of them about what it means for LeBron James and his legacy. And after the other established superstars in the game, Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant also made moves to form teams capable of winning the championship, their names have been brought into the conversations.
Kawhi Leonard teamed up with Paul George in Los Angeles as a part of the Clippers but injuries and one epic choke in the playoffs have prevented them from even making the NBA Finals. Durant and Kyrie with the Nets had James Harden for one run as well last season, but again, injuries and circumstances have gotten in the way of the Nets making a serious run for the title as well.
This is opposed to LeBron James, who has brought the Lakers a ring alongside Anthony Davis, but the team has failed to make the playoffs during 2 of his 4 years with the Purple and Gold. So naturally, a fan has questioned whether KD and Kawhi are also failures since that tag has been bestowed upon LeBron following the Lakers flaming out this season.
If LeBrons tenure with the Lakers is a failure what is Kawhi with the Clippers and KDs with the Nets ?
— Isaac (@nbs_isaac) April 6, 2022
The responses to this tweet are mixed, with some agreeing that KD and Kawhi have also fallen below expectations, while others have pointed out that they have had much worse luck than LeBron’s LA teams.
“The goal is to win a championship. LeBron and the Lakers did that. It’s a success off that alone.”
“The goal is to have good teams, not win a ring and head straight to the trash heap.”
“All failures… The bubble championship is a ring you get for winning a couple of pickup basketball… It doesn’t count for sh*t.”
“Kawhi beating the Mavs in 7 is more impressive than the bubble “ring”.”
“LeBron has made the playoffs 50% of his seasons in LA. Kawhi & KD will make the playoffs atleast every season.”
“So far? All failures. There’s also the fact only one of those three proclaims himself the greatest baller of all time and has many agreeing w/him.”
“This is only KD second season with the Nets. Last season was an inch away from going to the finals. LeBron 1st season with LA didn’t make the playoffs.”
“It’s not a failure because they won a ring. Also Kawhi and KD aren’t at the end of their careers.”
“So many supposed franchise guys aren’t given 1/10th the scrutiny of LeBron. I can’t wait for him to retire to see what the sports shows will talk about.”
“They are all failures-but doesn’t justify that LeBron wrecks every team he goes to play on.”
“Failures, so far. This doesn’t make Bron any less of a failure lol.”
“Both KD and Kawhi’s teams are in the playoffs.”
“It’s obviously not a failure but KD and Kawhi are both a lot closer to a championship than LeBron rn.”
“Nobody is saying LeBron’s tenure with the Lakers is a failure just this particular season is a failure..”
“LeBrons tenure has been a success. One ring in 3 seasons was far better than what we’d be if we kept the kids like some Lakers fans wanted.”
“LeBron pulled the Lakers out of dispair and won the damn title. Franchise was already falling apart way before this.”
“Listen man I don’t even like the Lakers but it most def ain’t a failure they won a damn ring lol.”
“LeBron tenure isn’t a failure. He got a bubble ring so he’s good. As of right now KD and Kawhi are failures.”
NBA fans have long had a problem with superteams so it’s no surprise to see a lot of fans dubbing all 3 to be failures. However, considering how hard it is to win an NBA championship, the fact that LeBron James managed to take his team there likely means describing his tenure as a failure might just be a bit of an overreaction.
