LeBron James is having a very tough season and this is evident. This season is the toughest he’s endured since his first with the Lakers. Indeed, that 2019 campaign was the first time LeBron missed the playoffs since 2005. The following year, the Lakers regrouped, adding the likes of Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo as role players, building around the new addition, Anthony Davis.
The retooled Lakers, paired with the injured Golden State Warriors out of commission, ended up winning the NBA title. In the bubble, they faced the energetic Miami Heat, led by Jimmy Butler, who surprisingly turned that matchup into a series. Since that 2020 title, the Lakers have struggled. Last season, LeBron James’ Lakers got off to a 21-7 start, before injuries caught up with them.
Last year, the Lakers were on pace for a top three seed, but fell into the play-in. There, they defeated the Warriors to earn the seventh seed. Drawing the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers lost in six games, as their roster was depleted, due to injuries. This season was supposed to be the redemption season and it has been… for the Warriors and the Suns. For the Lakers? They have struggled mightily, losing to several bad teams and are .500.
Facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers had a tough challenge ahead of them. Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers would win the game, but it was close. At halftime, the Lakers had a small lead, but LeBron had some trouble inbounding the ball. By the time he was able to pass in, the buzzer went off, and when he was heading into the locker room, LeBron James and Phil Handy were going at it. The two were clearly arguing, screaming at each other, as they left the court.
