As LeBron James, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, finds himself mired in the worst shooting slump of his illustrious career, the Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to question the viability of his ambitious goal to play in all 82 games this season. The 39-year-old superstar, who recently surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most games played in NBA history, has seen his offensive output plummet to levels not witnessed since his rookie campaign nearly two decades ago.
A Concerning Slump for the King
In a recent loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, James tied his season low with a mere 10 points on a dismal 4-of-16 shooting performance. Even more alarming was his 0-for-4 showing from beyond the arc, extending his three-point drought to a staggering 0-for-19 over his last four games. This marks the worst long-range shooting stretch of his career, surpassing a 24-miss streak during his rookie season.
It’s everything. It’s the rhythm. I just feel off rhythm the last few, three or four games.
LeBron James on his shooting struggles
Lakers Reconsider the 82-Game Plan
Faced with James’ uncharacteristic slump, Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed uncertainty about the wisdom of the four-time MVP’s pursuit of an 82-game season. “I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that, but if he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play,” Redick said. “But we obviously want to…manage that as best we can.”
A Team-Wide Struggle
James’ shooting woes have coincided with a broader slump for the Lakers, who have lost five of their last seven games. His plus-minus of -28 was a team-worst against the Timberwolves, and on the season, the Lakers have been outscored by 111 points with James on the floor. Even fellow superstar Anthony Davis has not been immune, posting a season-low 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting in the loss to Minnesota.
We’ve not seen us play the way we played earlier in the year. I mean, I’ve got to spend all day tomorrow with my staff trying to figure out how we get back to that.
Lakers coach JJ Redick on the team’s struggles
An Uncertain Road Ahead
As the Lakers navigate this challenging stretch, questions loom large about the sustainability of James’ 82-game ambition. While his legendary work ethic and commitment to his craft are unquestioned, the physical toll of 20 NBA seasons may finally be catching up to the iconic player. With the Lakers currently sitting at 12-9, eighth in the Western Conference, the team must weigh the short-term allure of having James on the court every night against the long-term benefits of preserving his health for a potential playoff run.
In the face of his shooting slump and the Lakers’ inconsistent play, James remains committed to putting in the work to turn things around. “Work. Just work. That’s all,” he said when asked how he plans to regain his rhythm. As the basketball world watches with bated breath, only time will tell if the King can reclaim his throne and lead the Lakers back to the promised land, one game at a time.
