Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James’ heroics overshadowed by team’s lackluster performance

The Los Angeles Lakers are keeping a close eye on the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James, who won Game 2 but without much help from his teammates.

The Los Angeles Lakers have their eyes set on a big prize this summer in free agency. I wrote on Monday about the potential effects an early exit from the playoffs will have on LeBron James’ free agency plans.

Watching LeBron in the postseason this year should be particularly interesting because of his upcoming summer. His individual and team performances each game can affect him coming to the Lakers this off-season.

What effect will these games have on his decision to leave? Is a Finals appearance this season enough for LeBron to stay in Cleveland? Will anything less than the Finals persuade James to leave? With these possible questions surrounding James, every game becomes that much more scrutinized.

James and the Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers last night. After losing Game 1, James reminded everyone that he can always turn it up another gear. He recorded one of his more memorable playoff performances by posting 46 points and 12 rebounds.

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue spoke after Game 1 how he needed James to set the tone for the next game. LeBron did just that, scoring the Cavaliers first 16 points of the game. He shot 9-for-12 to end the first quarter with 20 points and a size-able Cavaliers’ lead.

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LeBron’s heroics should have been enough to give the Cavs a lead that they could presumably rest on for the rest of the game, right? Nope. Poor play from many of his teammates led to a tight game throughout the final the three quarters.

LeBron led the way with 46 points and shot 17-24 overall. He obviously showed up to play but failed to get decent production from his supporting cast.

Only Kevin Love and Kyle Korver scored in double-digits. Cleveland once again saw their trade deadline acquisitions struggle in Game 2. According to ESPN, Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood shot a combined 40 percent from the floor, offering the Cavs very little.

The Cavaliers barely beat the Pacers, and this should be concerning for all Cavaliers fan. How does LeBron give you a historic 46-point playoff performance and you still have to squeeze out a win against the Pacers at home in the final minute?

Though the Cavs won, they forfeited home court advantage to the Pacers. The Cavs head to Indiana for Game 3. LeBron James may prove everyone wrong again in Game 3 by having an even bigger performance to try to carry the Cavs himself. But, if his teammates continue to fail to contribute, the Cavaliers could be looking at another loss.

The weaknesses in the Cavaliers right now is glaring. Despite three consecutive trips to the Finals for James and the Cavs, this is the weakest they’ve ever looked. They are struggling in the first round against a decent Pacers squad, and this should be encouraging the Lakers fans.

Although we don’t know what James’ free agency plans are yet, every Lakers fan needs to be rooting for his early departure from the postseason. If James loses in the first round, this may help the Lakers’ pitch that joining the Western Conference is Jame’s best move.

Perhaps the Eastern Conference has gotten too talented for James to bulldoze his way to the NBA Finals. Perhaps battling Western Conference foes more often in the regular season will help James study and defeat them come playoff time.

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These narratives work if LeBron and co. are upset early. Every Lakers fan should be rooting for the Indiana Pacers right now. If we want LeBron to come to L.A., we need him to fail against a sub-par Eastern Conference team. LeBron’s heroics could be better complemented by our young core, and the demise of the current Cavs roster could help show that.