Even at 37 years old, LeBron James is still one of the best basketball players on the planet. Unfortunately for the King, his age appears to be finally starting to catch up with him after all those years at the top.
On Twitter this weekend, during L.A.’s game against the Denver Nuggets, LeBron had a pretty rough start, going 0-4 in the opening minutes of the game.
His misses included some pretty good looks, including an open layup at the rim off a pass from Anthony Davis.
LeBron James missing at the rim off a pass from AD 🤦♂️https://t.co/kP41S5iVxL
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) October 31, 2022
This has been the story for the Lakers all season long. Through the first two weeks of this season, the Lakers have looked even worse than last year with one of the worst offenses in the entire NBA.
Naturally, while LeBron has been among the Lakers’ most consistent players, not even he could avoid the jabs of frustrated Lakers fans (and analysts) on Twitter.
#WashedKing https://t.co/4W1Sf7HDHo
— .-. (@xomunoz03) October 31, 2022
He’s done nothing but give half effort all season except for maybe 20 minutes total. He’s been pitiful https://t.co/qNCGA3F6Hv
— Lakers Supply, RN (@LakersSupply) October 31, 2022
LeBron has already missed 3 layups vs Denver. I thought he owed his team after his no-show the other night at Denver??? What up, King??? Father Time kicking your tail?
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 31, 2022
Damn Lebron might be done.
— . (@WiltMuse13) October 31, 2022
Yeah I know lebron 100 years old but if you gone be out there man you gotta have better energy than that or retire. They ass and he not making the morale no better
— Don of the Sip 🕴🏾 (@errolldadon) October 31, 2022
have some shame @KingJames
— 🎱 (@thisnotgelo) October 31, 2022
Lebron about to request a trade out of LA pretty quick
— Kaydon (@KaydonsThoughts) October 31, 2022
LeBron really missing open layups Father Time really catching up
— Shawn (@Shawn__Khan) October 31, 2022
LeBron get the fuck off social media and making all those commercials and go figure out your jumpshot and finishing. This shit is embarrassing man I’ve been defending you since 2012 what the fuck
— Carlos 🟠 (@CarlosBerkley) October 31, 2022
Lebron playing like dog shit smh. Father time is undefeated 🥲
— FP (@HakiMonstax) October 31, 2022
LeBron James Is Catching Heat After Lakers Start The Season 0-5
Statistically, James is doing pretty solid for a guy of his age. In 36 minutes, he’s averaging 25.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game on 44% shooting.
But he just hasn’t looked quite right this season, and the Lakers’ winless start suggests that he’s not having the same impact on games that he used to. And while some feel sorry that James still has to carry his teams to wins, others aren’t nearly as sympathetic.
“The Los Angeles Lakers, a storied and fabled basketball franchise, turned over everything to you. The keys, the future, whatever. They got in bed with LeBron (James) and they said ‘LeBron, we’ll trade away everybody. All the promising kids we drafted, everybody. We want to win now, we’re gonna do whatever it takes… We’ll go get Anthony Davis.’ And now, he’s acting like they’re taking him for granted and they don’t wanna do anything for him? All they’ve done is bend over backward for LeBron James since he got to LA! They’ve got to be gymnasts at this point, Rob Pelinka, everybody… Stop it LeBron… This is what you wanted. Now, eat it, you made the mess, now eat it and stop blaming other people. The Lakers have done enough for you,” said Rob Parker on James.
At this point in his career, it’s pretty clear that LeBron is starting to slow down, and he is showing symptoms of it before our very eyes.
And while he can still dominate basketball games, we’re probably going to see a lot more blunders from James as he racks up more and more minutes on his already-weathered body.
And with the Lakers struggling so badly, fans aren’t about to cut LeBron a break from getting his fair share of the blame.
