LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers recently admitting that not making the playoffs this season is tough.
For the last couple of weeks, it became clear that the Los Angeles Lakers were not going to be making the playoffs this season. For the sixth straight season, the Lakers will not be playing in the NBA Playoffs, and that is certainly disappointing.
When LeBron James signed with the Lakers this summer, expectations instantly became for the team to make the playoffs. James playing the playoffs has become the norm in the NBA, and this will be the first time he will not be playing in the playoffs for the first time in a long time.
After the loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the Lakers were officially eliminated from the playoffs this season. However, there are still games left to be played. For James, this is a very odd position to be in, and one that he hasn’t been in for years.
Recently, James admitted that it has been a bit difficult for him knowing that he won’t be in the playoffs. Here’s what he had to say via LakersNation.com.
"“I mean it’s been difficult in-between days. I can’t sit here and lie just knowing that mathematically we’re not going to be in the postseason,” James said."
Even before the Lakers were officially eliminated from the playoffs, they started to play it a bit safer with LeBron. However, there have been a few puzzling games that he played his normal set of minutes despite the playoffs being basically impossible.
James has been resting on back-to-backs, with the occasional rest day here and there as well. Since he is a veteran with a lot of hard minutes on his legs, resting James makes all the sense in the world for the Lakers. Having him play this season is rather pointless, as him being out gives more minutes to younger players, and can help strengthen their lottery position.
As the season wraps up for the Lakers, we will likely not see a ton of James in games. Making sure that he is healthy for a strong summer and next season is certainly more important than him playing in games now. While missing the playoffs this season might sting, James and the Lakers can hopefully bounce back next season.