Lake Show Life
Fansided

Lakers: 3 rosters that were abandoned when LeBron James left

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The 2014-15 Heat after LeBron James left:

The Miami Heat seemed to be in a decent situation as they still had one of the greatest shooting guards of all time in Dwyane Wade as well as another all-star player in Chris Bosh. However, as great as Wade was in his prime, his prime was short-lived and he was already out of his prime in LeBron’s second season in the league.

Bosh had regressed as well and later had to retire prematurely in 2016 due to blood clot issues. Thankfully, Bosh has been healthy since then and is now a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Wade and Bosh no longer being in their primes showed up in the standings. The 2014-15 Miami Heat finished with a 37-45 record with a starting five of:

  • PG: Mario Chalmers
  • SG: Dwyane Wade
  • SF: Luol Deng
  • PF: Chris Bosh
  • C: Hassan Whiteside

The Heat missed the playoffs with that record although the team would return to the playoffs the following year after racking up 48 wins. However, the Heat missed the playoffs the next season, made it but lost in round one the following year, and missed the playoffs once again.

From the time that LeBron James left the Heat to the time that Jimmy Butler joined the Heat, the team won just one playoff series. Meanwhile, LeBron won a championship and made it to the NBA Finals in four straight years with the Cavaliers before taking his talents to the City of Angels to go make movies. This left the worst example of a deserted roster.