LeBron James and the near full-strength Los Angeles Lakers are struggling for momentum, and team owner Jeanie Buss understands where the superstar’s frustration stems from.
The Lakers have been on a sine-wave run despite Anthony Davis’ return, and are yet to hit the .500 mark this season. At the time of writing, they’re 24-28 and placed 13th in the Western Conference, despite James’ stellar run.
The 38-year-old in his 20th season has been on a tear averaging 30.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. He’s breaking and setting records by the game while also closing in on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring feat. However, he’s maintained his stance that his objective has been to win another championship.
Given the Lakers’ run this season, the Championship aspirations get bleaker with every defeat, and with 30 games left in the season, making the playoffs will be first on the team’s priorities.
And on her part, Buss sympathizes with James and said she understands the frustration. Speaking to analyst Stephen A. Smith on “K[no]w Mercy”:
.@JeanieBuss talks about LeBron James' work ethic and his determination to win in the newest episode. Watch now. pic.twitter.com/99aSBH8Qs4
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 30, 2023
@JeanieBuss talks about LeBron James’ work ethic and his determination to win in the newest episode. Watch now.
“I mean, unless he’s winning, he’s not going to be happy. That’s him. That’s what drives him. And I could see why he would be frustrated. We’re all frustrated with, you know, we’re down four starters, and he’s our only remaining starter, and he’s gotta show up and play. And, the burden’s on him,” Buss said.
The Lakers’ front office has looked active ahead of the February 9 trade deadline to add some pieces around James. They traded Kendrick Nunn and three future second-round draft picks for Washington Wizards’ Rui Hachimura, while also hinting that they have a string of moves coming up.
Do The Los Angeles Lakers Still Have A Chance To Make The Playoffs?
The answer is yes and no. The Lakers’ chances of progressing past the regular season are heavily dependent on James and Davis’ health. With both players playing through injuries, the odds of the Lakers bowing out if one or both of them go down at some point during the next couple of months are high, and it severely dents their hopes of making the playoffs.
With the trade deadline still a good week away, all eyes are on LA to see if they pull off a blockbuster move that would land them a superstar. For now, the Chicago Bulls duo of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are linked to the Lakers, and adding one of these two would greatly bolster their postseason opportunity.
The Lakers aren’t pressing the panic button yet, despite having some decisions in games going against them, but they are fully aware of where they stand and what they need to do as they gear up for the second half of the season.
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