Home

NBA

Why LeBron James Is Not Playing Lakers’ Preseason Opener vs Warriors

Published 10/07/2023, 5:49 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Imago

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors are facing each other in the first game of their Preseason tournament. Though these games have no implications on the regular season, still there was a considerable build-up to it. More than the Lakers, it was the Warriors’ fans who were hyped to see their rival come to the bay. But LeBron James will not be a part of the Lakers team that is going to face the Dubs.

LeBron is in his 21 season in the league. Anything and everything about him gets analyzed and has to be responded to by the Lakers. Are they going to be this conservative throughout the season? If that is the case, then indeed it would be the passing of the mantle to Anthony Davis.

The aging superstars of the League

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

During the peak of the Golden State – Cleaveland rivalry, we witnessed some of the finest basketball in NBA history. LeBron James, along with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and J.R. Smith, won a title for Cleaveland. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, won three for the Warriors. Out of which two had Kevin Durant‘s footprint.

Read More: “Go Get Jrue”: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Ex-teammate Claims Credit for Jayson Tatum and Celtics’ Latest Acquisition

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

All these stars are in their thirties now, and especially LeBron will be 39 soon. As the new superstars are emerging in the league, the aging warhorses are looking for their one final hurrah moment.

LeBron’s absence in the preseason game against the Warriors raised injury concerns, but it was just a planned breather for him. And as for the King, watch his hilarious reaction in the below video on being called the oldest player in the league.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The next generation

The Warriors will be missing Draymond Green for the next 3 to 6 weeks due to an injury. If these are the signs of the times ahead, Kuminga and Moody would have to contribute a lot more this season. Chris Paul, who has replaced Jordan Poole, is the last true classic point guard of the league. Where ever he has been, the young players have improved and thrived. Thus, he is the beacon of hope for the Dubs to unlock the younger players.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

As for the Lakers, they have an interesting mix of veterans and young talents. But this team would only go as far as Anthony Davis would lead them to. LeBron has already voiced his consent for Anthony Davis to take the mantle and run with it. So it is going to be an Anthony Davis show for the Lakers or a no-show at all.

Watch This Story: “Lame Time as Usual”: Portland Fans Turn on Damian Lillard Hours Within Bucks Trade After His ‘I Could Never Be Replaced’ Release

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Vinod Pillai

118Articles

One take at a time

Vinod is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Having over six years of experience as a creative writer, he combines his passion for basketball with his love for journalism. Being an ardent fan of the NBA, he has been following & learning from reputed insiders & reporters such as Adrian Wojnarowski, Tim Legler, JJ Redick, Stephen A.
Show More>

Edited by:

Vishav