Quijano: Missing Lebron

I MUST confess it’s going to be strange not seeing Lebron James in the NBA playoffs. Having made it to the finals for 8 consecutive years, it’s a bit bizarre not seeing him compete for the ultimate prize in basketball.

So what happened?

THE LAKERS. A lot of factors come into play in making an assessment of the dire predicament he is in.

First and foremost is team composition. The Lakers are a motley crew of up-and- coming youngsters and jaded veterans.

Traditionally, James has been used to having a lot of help holding down the fort. And even though he was able to drag last year’s depleted Cleveland Cavaliers kicking and screaming into the NBA finals, still they had chemistry and teamwork having played together for several years.

Such is not the case at present. Brandon Ingram seems to put up better numbers when Lebon is not around. Kyle Kuzma is too inconsistent. Lonzo ball seems to relish playing with

Lebron also but not with other teammates. Bottom line is the lack of teamwork for this year’s iteration of this storied franchise.

And then there were the injuries.

AGE. The injury bug spares no one, young and old. When it happens , you just have to deal with it and the team has to find ways to cope. In their case, most of their young core missed a span of several games. James himself missed a total of 18 games.

Yet, when he came back, he wasn’t good enough to carry the team on his back in the tough Western Conference, even though he professed to “activate” playoff mode.

And yes, the King himself is showing signs of the wear and tear of a career spanning back to 2003.

James is still 34, but in terms of mileage he is an old 34, having started his NBA career straight out of high school.

He still can churn out MVP like numbers, but his defense has been paltry. He clearly saves himself on certain possessions so he can give it his all in offense. But this does not bode well for a team solely lacking in chemistry and talent.

NEXT. It’s back to the drawing board for the Lakers. James himself has vowed redemption in an Instagram post. Some of the best players available next year on free agency or on possible trade options would be Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler.

The way things are shaping out in Boston, a reunion with former teammate Kyrie Irving cannot be ruled out.

Whatever the case, the NBA playoffs will begin in a few weeks, and James will be in that unfamiliar position of being relegated to a mere spectator.

VERBATIM. “Believe me. Promise #LakerNation the spell won’t last much longer! I swear. The marathon continues!--Lebron James Instagram post.

LAST ROUNDS. Are on Darren and Bambi Macaraya-Hall, who are in town all the way from Swindon, England. Welcome back. Cheers!

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph