LeBron James: Does he really want to finish the season out or not?

LeBron James has long since spoke out against playing without fans in the arena!

Before the COVID-19 virus exploded to the level that the world is dealing with today, the option of playing in empty gyms was just an idea that was floating around to keep the season going before Rudy Gobert’s diagnosis. James was on the Road Trippin’ Podcast, with Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Lakers studio host, Allie Clifton to talk about his feelings on that idea.

"“What is the word ‘sport’ without ‘fan’? There’s no excitement. There’s no crying. There’s no joy. There’s no back-and-forth. There’s no rhyme or reason that you want to go on the road and just dethrone the home team because of their fans and vice versa. “Like, that’s what also brings out the competitive side of the players to know that you’re going on the road in a hostile environment and yes, you’re playing against that opponent in front of you, but you really want to kick the fans’ a– too."

Well at this point, who cares what LeBron James wants. This interview was pre-suspension. To get the season done along with the playoffs, this is one of the few options left. Sports Illustrated already is reporting Las Vegas as one of the venues where the playoff games would be played.

Not to get in LeBron James’ head here or put words in the man’s mouth but this is probably what he is talking about when it comes to playing in front of fans. In the highlights, pay attention to the crowd noise.

For Ric Bucher to dismiss this part of the NBA game to make his point is wrong. The crowd does play a huge part in any NBA game, especially the playoffs. It doesn’t matter if the Lakers play at home or on the road. Sure the Staples Center would be rocking after a slam dunk or a deep 3 pointer, but on the road, it’s just as satisfying to shut up the opponent’s crowd as well.

Let’s go back a few years to his time in Miami. Watch the body language.

Both sides of the equation. This is how the crowd can affect players at home and on the road. Could Bucher say that LeBron will shy away at times passing the ball foregoing the shot under the cover of making the right basketball play?

Okay, sure. But to say that he wants the season to end just to avoid the embarrassment of losing in the playoffs? That’s something else altogether different.

See how bad this take is yet? Oh, it’s gets worse.