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“Can You Even Imagine Kobe Doing Something Like That?”: Lakers Fans Bewildered After LeBron James Refuses to Contest Tip Off vs Kings
The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to find a consistent and conventional center from the start of the season. And now with Davis out for a long term, the Lakers are trying a new strategy to play LeBron James at the 5. Considering that even at 37, LeBron is still making chase-down blocks. Moreover, he is still playing an absurd number of minutes every game, averaging the most on his team. Especially for his age, this sort of behavior has never been seen before in the NBA.
However, LeBron did today what most fans would describe as unthinkable and almost impossible to be coming from him. They have always lauded LeBron James for his consistency of effort on the court. Nevertheless, probably for the first time in his career, LeBron James blatantly refused to jump for the ball at tip-off. This did not sit well with the Lakers fans who have all their hopes on LeBron James to carry this team. This is how some of the disgruntled fans responded to LeBron’s lack of effort at tip-off.
LeBron made a business decision on the tip-off pic.twitter.com/ZLeIfQmESm
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 5, 2022
NBA fans react to a bizarre incident at Lakers vs Kings tip-off
Can you even imagine Kobe doing something like that?
— BebO (@Bebo_The_Blue) January 5, 2022
— Jose Montiel (@SoMeF4TkID) January 5, 2022
MJ>errrbody else
— Steph Stevenson (@StephStevenso12) January 5, 2022
well that was actually a terrible jump ball effort from both of them
— NetsW (@NetsW2) January 5, 2022
Not every other player is a 37 year old, 17x All Star, 4x Champ, 4x MVP, 4x Finals MVP, who’s not even a center in the first place
— aren (@aren_renz_reyes) January 5, 2022
bro said I’m too old for this shit
— lakers fan (@lovinglakerszn) January 5, 2022
“dude really showing everyone he out there not even trying to compete.” pic.twitter.com/n7x2yNNQyg
— Prince_HoopsLakers 2022 (@DSingh623) January 5, 2022
Why put maximum effort into something you’re guaranteed to lose but doesn’t actually effect your game. Most of y’all weren’t athletes you were try hards.
— Cutty (@christheflexx) January 5, 2022
What does this mean for LeBron James?
LeBron James’ age has been the driving factor of almost every narrative that was created about him. From their roster to his minutes on the floor, age was the consistent factor that every analyst was considering while looking at the Lakers. And for the longest time this season, LeBron defied all the odds for his age and never lacked consistency for effort.
Jan 4, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts against the Sacramento Kings in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Even in this game against the Kings, LeBron James led the scoring for the Lakers with 31 points. Along with a good contributions from Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony. While De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield bothered the Lakers with their scoring, they just couldn’t take the Kings all the way.
Jan 4, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) battle for the ball in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Needless to say, LeBron James is still the best player on the Lakers’ roster. However for how long will he be able to maintain that with consistency is a matter of time. This might be the first sign of his age finally impacting his game. Is this the beginning of the end of a stellar and immaculate NBA career? Let us know what you think about it.
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The post “Can You Even Imagine Kobe Doing Something Like That?”: Lakers Fans Bewildered After LeBron James Refuses to Contest Tip Off vs Kings appeared first on EssentiallySports.
