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Los Angeles Lakers: Instant takeaways in sloppy loss to Thunder

By Jason Reed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. LeBron James has a ways to go until he is 100 percent

LeBron James seemed to be the one guarantee for the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the Orlando bubble. Despite him being the oldest superstar in the league, many assumed that we would simply get the same LeBron that we always get.

Part of that is because he has been great for what feels like 50 years now and part of that is because he takes extreme care of his body and if there was going to be anyone that was in great shape heading into this never-before-experienced situation, it would be LeBron.

LeBron has not been LeBron in the bubble. Yes, there have only been four games that actually matter, but the Lakers are halfway through these seeding games and have not gotten LeBron at 100 percent.

RELATED: Highlighting how long it has been since the last first seed finish

We have seen spurts, absolutely. His putback game-winner and excellent defensive stand won the game for the Lakers against the Clippers. But that is just the thing, we have only seen spurts.

Is this LeBron taking it easy until the playoffs start? Maybe. But it was not like he was low-effort in this game. He got to the hole multiple times early in the game and was missing ducks that he would normally flush home.

LeBron has not scored more than 22 since the bubble began and he started to look visibly frustrated in this game, even picking up a technical from the bench.

He finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. He shot seven of 19 from the floor.

Will he get to 100 percent for the playoffs? Probably, he is LeBron James, after all. But right now, he still has a ways to go.

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