With his long-voiced desire to play with his sons yet to see the light of the day, many reckon LeBron James is playing smart at the twilight of his decorated career. The King is taking his own time when his kingdom is clearly struggling this season. What defines this defiance from the doyan has prompted a provocative take from an erstwhile NFL star.

The 2023-24 season has been a struggle for everyone associated with the Los Angeles Lakers. They’ve struggled to perform and pick up wins on a consistent basis. Many expected the Lakers to push on from last season’s postseason performance, where they advanced to the Western Conference Finals. However, subpar displays have relegated the Lakers to the 9th seed. Their continued overdependence on a 39-year-old LeBron James has perplexed several fans and analysts.

In his 21st season as an NBA professional, LeBron has suited up for the Lakers on 63 separate occasions this season, missing just 10 games. He’s on pace to play the most regular season game since becoming a Laker. However, LeBron’s recent remarks on personal health and load management have created a stir.

In an interview with ESPN, LeBron stated, “I got to be smart with it. If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub, anyway.” Due to comments like these, several fans have accused LeBron James of focusing more on his personal interests rather than the Lakers’ goal of winning an NBA championship. Former NFL star Maurice Clarett falls in that category.

During a conversation on the It Is What It Is podcast, Maurice suggested that LeBron is intentionally sitting out games to prolong his career and potentially play alongside his son, Bronny, in the future. He said, “He (LeBron) doesn’t press or push his body to the point of exhaustion. So, he’s not injury prone and lasts longer than other guys in the league. I think that LeBron is saving himself so that he can play with Bronny. It’s just my personal opinion.”

Maurice’s remarks hold little weight because LeBron James leads the Lakers in points (25.3 points) and assists (8.1 assists) per game. However, such allegations will continue to pop up until and unless The King leads the Lakers to another NBA championship?

Can LeBron James Gift Another Ring to the Lakers

Despite winning the inaugural In-Season tournament, it’s safe to suggest that it hasn’t been easy viewing for fans of the Lakers. With less than 10 regular seasons remaining, the Lakers languish at the 9th spot in the Western Conference standings. However, with one of the easiest remaining set of fixtures, many expect the Lakers to secure a playoff berth via the play-in tournament.

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But their prospects of winning the 2024 NBA title appear improbable at best. The Lakers’ mediocre offense (ranked 15th in the NBA) and heavy reliance on LeBron James and Anthony Davis have caused many to doubt their chances of winning the title.

What are your thoughts? Can the Lakers win the 2024 NBA title? Let us know in the comments below!