The Lakers need a spark to their rather poor start to the season, and everyone is looking to the soon-to-be 37-year-old LeBron James to make the difference. He is in his 19th year as an NBA player, but the organization is still heavily reliant on him to have a successful 2021-22 campaign.
The four-time NBA champ is playing 37.2 min per game, the most since his 2016-17 campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. For someone who will be turning 37 on December 30, that is a lot of strain to put on his body, and the Lakers are being called out for allowing it.
During the offseason, the Lakers signed several 30+ players, but most are younger than LeBron. Russell Westbrook, who is 33 with some spring in his step, is not doing enough to lead the Lakers.
LeBron is out there leading by example, but he puts himself at risk every other night, and without him, their chances at success in the playoff dwindle. Former Detroit Pistons guard Isiah Thomas, during a pregame show on NBA TV, spoke on LeBron’s usage. He has called out the franchise, saying they reek of desperation with the way LeBron is being used.
"This is desperation that the Lakers find themselves in right now."@MattWinerTV and @IsiahThomas discuss the amount of minutes LeBron James is playing this season. #Gametime https://t.co/UsijIbfYTB
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 21, 2021
“Keyword, you hit at this age, and you know what he’s doing right now and what the Lakers are doing with him, screams of desperation. You know, at this age, he’s supposed to be winding down, playing fewer minutes, and getting ready for the playoffs.”
“He’s playing the most minutes on a body that has logged a lot of minutes. This is just desperation that the Lakers find themselves in right now.”
The Lakers want a championship, and it will be extra difficult to do so without LeBron, even though he will be 37. At this point in the season, the Lakers are supposed to manage his minutes to ensure he is match fit while also protecting him from any injury that will keep him out for an extended period.
Instead, he is logging in the most minutes because the other players on the team have not stepped up. Anthony Davis, who is supposed to be the focus of their attack, has been underwhelming, averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and shooting 17.9% from beyond the arc. He is currently suffering from a knee injury and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Nonetheless, LeBron was on the court for 34 minutes against the Phoenix Suns last night. Although the Lakers lost, LBJ registered 34 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.
