Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James season in review

Where will LeBron go from here?

The Lakers recently announced that LeBron James will be sitting out the rest of the season. This was the smart decision to make, considering his existing health problems and the team’s desire to worsen their record in hopes of a high lottery pick.

What is next for LeBron will significantly depend upon the decisions others make. Will Kawhi Leonard leave one of the best infrastructures in the East so he can play for a big market in Los Angeles? Will Kemba Walker abandon a hefty amount of money to have a better chance at playoff success? Is there a chance the Lakers don’t sign any noteworthy free agents and are forced to enter next season with the same exact core? Possibly.

Regardless of what will happen for the Purple & Gold in the near future, LeBron needs to abandon his fluctuating moods and behavior if he wants more positive outcomes out of his Laker tenure. Enough drama comes with playing in Los Angeles in general, so added pettiness only worsens the situation.

Real life is not Hollywood. You can’t act as a mentor one day to a person and then abruptly throw them under the bus the next. You can’t be Batman and Regina George. You can’t attempt to trade away all your teammates and then pretend that you are the victim in the situation. You can’t call yourself The King in a positive manner if you’ve been behaving more like King Joffrey. If you desire universal recognition as an iconic leader, you can’t act the way LeBron has this past season.

RIght now, he is still the best player in the NBA when engaged. No other star can replicate the elite level of play LeBron achieves during his peak performances. But he currently doesn’t have the help or stability to succeed with the Lakers, and it isn’t clear if that will change this summer.

LeBron James began the season as one of the best versions of himself, encapsulating the skill of Batman and mentorship of Alfred. He, unfortunately, left this behind after his injury, though, acting like the mean girl Regina George, casting off his teammates through his behavior and lack of effort.

Now he resembles Tom Hanks in “Cast Away,” on an island alone with no help in site. He may desperately yearn for a free agent like Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, or Klay Thompson, but it isn’t clear whether any support will come his way.

Maybe another star will courageously join the team. Perhaps LeBron will repair relationships with his young teammates, and their development will push the Lakers forward. There’s definitely a chance this all gets turned around, but the worst case scenario can’t be ignored either.

Let’s hope LeBron abandons the drama of Hollywood during his future years as a Laker. We don’t need him to be Regina George or any other character for that matter. We just need him to be the best basketball player in the world, which is undoubtedly his most Oscar-worthy role.