Despite a myriad of injuries that left the Los Angeles Lakers, including stars LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves.
James nursed an injury early in the season, playing in 60 games, while Dončić played in 64 and Reaves played in 51.
The biggest issue is that Reaves and Dončić were injured entering the postseason. Although Reaves returned in the first round, Dončić did not appear in the postseason. After defeating the Rockets in the first round in six games, the Lakers fell to the Thunder in a clean sweep in the second round.
LeBron James Believes Talent, Not Work, Was the Issue in Lakers’ Series Loss to Thunder
The Lakers stayed in most games against the Thunder, but couldn’t pull off a victory despite Reaves’ return and James’ play.
Although he had his share of struggles, at 41, James averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Reaves averaged 20.0 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. His scoring was down from his season average of 23.3, and Reaves shot just 40.7% from the field and 25.7% from three in the playoffs after shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc during the regular season.
Sometimes effort and work can be questioned, but James did not see an issue with either facet of the Lakers’ play.
For James, effort was not an issue. In his mind, it was simply talent.
“We were not out worked,” James said. “We were not, you know, they didn’t out physical us. They didn’t outsmart us. I feel like we were just out talented, you know, by OKC. They just possess so much more talent.”
James also threw in the Spurs with the Thunder, explaining just how difficult it’s going to be to get to the level the two Western Conference powers are right now.
“No disrespect to anybody else, but the way that San Antonio and OKC are kind of emerging, you know, it’s very difficult to match the talent, let alone all the intangibles and stuff,” James explained.
Obviously, with Thunder wing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has taken home each of the last two MVP awards, at age 27, and Spurs’ big man Victor Wembanyama, only 22 years old, there is going to be a lot of staying power, so if the Lakers want to complete out west, they’re going to need to up that talent level.
As always, all eyes will be focused on the Lakers, specifically James, once again this offseason.
