LeBron James will be asked to step up and be Hercules once more in the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets. If the 41-year-old can somehow propel his team to the upset, allowing for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to return in the second round, Rob Pelinka will be dialing his phone and begging LeBron to stay for one more year after the season is over.
Realistically, the situation between the Lakers and James should already be trending toward a reunion. The other possible suitors apart from Los Angeles are not overwhelmingly strong. Sticking around makes a ton of sense for James.
A first-round series win would make that feeling more than mutual for the Lakers as well. If James can still prove to be an incredible insurance policy for the two main stars in Los Angeles, why would they not want to keep him around at a slightly discounted price?
The matchup against the Rockets will be tough, but far from unwinnable, given all their flaws. A vintage series from James that pushes the Lakers to the second round would work heavily in favor of sealing the deal for this marriage to continue in a potential 24th season for LeBron.
LeBron James leading the Lakers to an upset would make him a hot commodity
James was more than willing to do what was best for the team and settle into a role as the third option when the situation called for it. Now, the Lakers need him as the leading act at least one more time. The early results of that readjustment have proven promising.
The Lakers have gone 3-1 thus far with James being the first option again.
In the first three games, which featured regular minutes for him, LeBron averaged 28.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 12.7 assists per game. That included shooting splits of 60-46-60.
In the regular season finale against the Utah Jazz, James only played the first half. In those 17 minutes, LeBron finished with 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
The fountain of youth must exist in a secret location that only James knows about. His recent play on the basketball court would suggest that is nothing but the truth. All of that should make everyone believe there is at least one more season left in the tank for the league's oldest player.
If the Lakers survive thanks to LeBron, it will be one of those moments that you tell your grandkids about. It will also serve as a clear identifier of the instance when all doubt was erased about him and Los Angeles deciding to run it back one more time.
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