Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors suggest that the 16-time champions are concerned about LeBron James’ status headed into the homestretch of the season.
Earlier this month, many Los Angeles Lakers rumors revolved around various trade possibilities. However, the latest Lakers buzz reveals that the team is a bit concerned about their superstar, LeBron James.
This is not too encouraging on account of the Lakers’ current state. With just 25 games left on the calendar, they are one game south of .500. Furthermore, the purple and gold are three games back of the L.A. Clippers for the West’s final playoff spot.
Bearing that in mind, the Lakers certainly need James to be at his best the rest of the way. The clock is ticking on their season, and it truly may require a miracle to get to the postseason.
It is not to say three games is an insurmountable margin. On paper, it definitely looks like a realistic goal.
However, it is important to consider what Los Angeles’ schedule is like from here on out. It is quite a daunting one, to say the least.
To even have a shot at making it into the playoffs, the Lakers will likely need to win at least 16 contests the rest of the way. While that is a mere estimate, it shows that they will need to be excellent between now and game 82.
Whether a lot of wins occur or not will largely hinge on James’ body. Granted he is no longer sidelined with the groin injury, something still seems to be lurking with James.
It is extremely possible he is still experiencing residual effects from his groin injury. Even in Sunday’s All-Star game, James’ movements did not always appear to be crisp. Albeit he did throw down a dunk from time to time, he did not look like the LeBron James many are accustomed to seeing.
Therefore, there is reason to be feeling worried if the Lakers are apparently feeling the same way as well. According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the team is indeed “concerned” about LeBron’s health.
Per what Bruno Manrique of ClutchPoints transcribed from Vardon’s piece, James’ fitness level may not be at 100 percent.
"“He’s just not moving at the same speed nor is he engaging at the point of attack,” wrote Vardon. “That fourth-quarter moment in a loss to the Hawks on Wednesday in which Trae Young switched onto LeBron, and instead of taking the much smaller Young off the dribble LeBron casually threw the ball to Brandon Ingram in the corner? There are several examples like this.”"
While James is known for his selflessness on the court, Vardon brings up a valid point in the example he gives. That Hawks game was a very winnable game, and down the stretch the Lakers’ superstar did not show that “slit your throat” type of mentality. Certainly, the Lakers could have used more of a selfish LBJ in that scenario.
It causes one to wonder where LeBron’s health truly stands at this exact moment. Perhaps part of it is a mental block as well? The Lakers obviously have some ground to make up, and the team lost a lot of momentum when James was injured.
Given that James is not getting any younger, he may sense that these next couple months are going to demand an extraordinary version of himself. Thus, it is fair to argue James did not want to overdo it in his first few games back from his groin injury.
At this juncture, though, the Lakers need a top-shelf caliber LBJ every step of the way. Although Manrique accurately outlined that he has been averaging a triple-double since he came back, the Lakers will need a thirstier James to increase their playoff chances.
If James starts to display that hunger and drive, these health concerns will gradually disappear. For the Lakers’ sake, they can only hope that their main man will turn into a superhuman. Their dream of entering the playoffs depends on it very much so.
The Lakers must start playing their best basketball now, or otherwise they may end up kissing their 2018-2019 campaign goodbye.