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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Lessons on Play-In performance against Toronto

Ronald Agers|
May 2, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) moves in for a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) moves in for a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Los Angeles Lakers
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James left the floor early and gave fans a quote to remember!

LeBron James quote about the NBA’s play-in tournament via CBS Sports: 

"“Whoever came up with that s— needs to be fired”  “That’s wack,” “You’ve got to earn your spot to be in the postseason. No consolation for finishing last. That’s corny.”"

These quotes reek of enough sour grapes to open up a winery. It’s been a while since Lake Show Life criticized LeBron James to this level (Say 2019?), but he is telling the NBA world through the media how much trouble this team is in. The staff has this to say about the play-in-game to LeBron…GET OVER IT!

This entire NBA season is about finances. Let’s break down some scenarios attached to the play-in tournament going forward.

  • Eight games left in the season with only six teams officially out of the playoff race.  
  • More casual fans will be engaged with the regular season longer.
  • More activity at the trade deadline.
  • The NBA will make up a ton of money lost with commercial time and tickets to the play-in games.

Now that the soapbox quote from the press conference is addressed. Let’s discuss LeBron’s play on the court. It wasn’t much better than his press conference rant.

James finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. He also had a team-high five turnovers and looked like a statue at times on defensive rotations.

This level of play looks very similar to 2019 after he came back from his groin injury a couple of years ago. A few empty stats in the box score and a nice highlight.

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1389045459541401604

James left the game with 6:42 left due to ankle soreness.

Is this about shaking off rust? Probably. Is this about the effects of an ankle injury? Sure. High ankle sprains are brutal. He’s going to have to deal with that injury for the rest of the season.

However, LeBron is going to have to look in the mirror and make a decision. Is he going to tough it out and will this team through this tough time like a certain dude named Kobe Bryant did in the early 2000s or is he going to provide quotes to the media to cover up the fact he can’t dominate the way the Lake Show needs to for a post-season run?

LeBron shouldn’t be standing at that mirror alone. Anthony Davis has issues of his own to deal with. Sure the “King” needs to dominate but AD needs to be the best player. Read on to see how he did in this game. 

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