Los Angeles Lakers: 5 things they can learn from their inexcusable losses

2. Lebron James will pout

Please do not read this as an excuse or cover for the self-proclaimed king.

In many ways, LeBron James is a wonderful human being. He has done plenty of charitable acts, such as opening up his “I Promise” school in his native Akron, OH to benefit underprivileged kids. He has also championed some very worthwhile progressive causes, such as racial, social and economic justice.

But, in some ways, LeBron can be a chemistry killer.

I have no idea what role, if any, he had in Anthony Davis demanding a trade through his agent Rich Paul, who is also LeBron’s agent and business partner.

But, those talks torpedoed the burgeoning chemistry the Lakers were starting to develop during the first half of the season. At least, LeBron did himself no favors during that time by failing to bring his team together and have some kind of heart-to-heart with them.

LeBron should have, at least, held a team meeting immediately after the trade deadline and cleared the air with his teammates.

But, after that situation, his issues with Kyrie Irving that may have led to him demanding a trade in 2017, his supposed involvement in Cavs coach David Blatt’s firing, his public whining two years ago where he said his Cleveland team was too “top-heavy”, etc., we know that LeBron doesn’t have the same kind of loyalty to his organization and teammates as other all-time greats.

Again, I’m not trying to make an excuse for LeBron in any way whatsoever. But, at this point in his career, anyone who plays with him knows the deal and shouldn’t take it too personally, or at the very least shouldn’t let it affect their play on the court.

LeBron is still arguably the best player in the game. But, if his team isn’t playing up to expectations, he may do something in a passive-aggressive way that will make him seem self-centered or as if he’s throwing his teammates under the bus.

These are the Los Angeles Lakers. From Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, to this group, it would be weird if they didn’t have any kind of drama. To paraphrase what someone once said, the NBA is a soap opera for dudes.