When the book about this NBA season is written, one of the biggest chapters will be about the struggles of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The team is currently clinging to its ninth-place spot in the Western Conference and there is serious doubt it’ll even make the postseason.
If LA does reach the playoffs, few people think they will go far because they have been so messy and inconsistent for months now.
Despite all of their problems, LeBron James has been putting his heart and soul into the team and every game.
But is it time for him to ease up a bit?
LeBron, who was a game-time decision, just played 40 minutes in the 2nd game of a back-to-back.
The Lakers are 0-8 since All-Star break when he doesn’t score 50 points.
Doesn’t seem ideal. pic.twitter.com/HtKmf3BAvc
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 15, 2022
StatMuse points out that James played 40 minutes in the second of back-to-back games the other night.
The site also points out that the team is 0-8 since the All-Star break when James doesn’t score 50 points.
That’s a wild, troubling stat and suggests that perhaps it’s time for James to practice some load management.
R&R For LeBron
James is a natural competitor and someone who will fight hard in every single game.
That’s a commendable aspect about him and something that should be celebrated.
However, for the sake of him and the future of the team, James needs to be very careful about burning himself out for this season.
The chances of the Lakers rebounding and coming together in the weeks ahead are very slim.
Nobody would count on them winning a whole lot more, especially in the postseason.
So why should James play entire games and push his body and mind to the limit for a team that will likely be out in the first round?
James is an incredible player, even at 37 years old.
That means he still has a few more seasons ahead of him.
But going too hard and straining his body too much could cause serious complications and shorten that timeline.
That’s the last thing the Lakers and James want.
Therefore, he should spend more time on the bench.
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