As it should be, LeBron James is utterly shocked after Denver Nuggets brutally thrashed the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Every LA fan is in complete disarray. Nobody really expected that Nikola Jokic and his team would defeat James and his team with a clean sweep. They wanted the Lakers to fight back and make the series more interesting. But Nuggets faced no contest from the 17-time champions in the west final series. That is why it was possible for the Nuggets to win the series 4-0.
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray helped Denver Nuggets to change the course of the franchise’s history. However, before the series started, many thought history would repeat itself. In the 2020 WCF, the Lakers beat the Nuggets to go to the Finals to meet Miami Heat and eventually win the championship. However, history did not repeat itself, and the Lakers are now eliminated from this year’s battle. Moreover, in the after-game press talks, LeBron James hinted that he might be ready to “hang his boots” soon.
Will LeBron James Retire This Offseason?
Despite all the accomplishments, LeBron James was really eager to win the 5th championship. But after this shocking defeat at the hands of the Nuggets, it looks like he might be contemplating retirement. According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, in the post-game interview, James gave a cryptic message where he mentioned, “I need to think a lot regarding the game of basketball and where I go from here.”
On the other note, LeBron James scored 40+ points in Game 4 on a losing cause. He also became the oldest player to score 40+ points in WCF. LeBron James had planned to play alongside his son Bronny James as well, who is a prospect for the next year’s drafts. Moreover, James has another year’s contract with Los Angeles Lakers, according to which he will earn more than $46 million. Although from the next year, King James would have a player option.
Despite the loss against the Nuggets, the Lakers had a pretty amazing season where they turned things around, surprising everybody. As for LeBron James, his skill level can never be questioned. Even at the age of 38 and in his 20th NBA season, he averaged better than most of the players on his team and in the tournament as well. But his balky ankle has been causing trouble. In the offseason now, LeBron James might undergo surgery on his right foot due to a tendon injury he sustained in late February. Hence the question arises, is LeBron James ready to put a stop to his NBA career? Looks like only time and James himself will be able to answer this question.
Despite Personal Glories, James Couldn’t Help The Lakers Reach NBA Finals
Everything was not alright on the Los Angeles’ Lakers’ front. After a challenging start to the season, the squad proved everybody wrong as they reached the playoffs. They clearly looked unstoppable as they beat the second seed of the West and also the defending champions. But in the end, the Lakers faced a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray helped the Denver franchise to reach the NBA finals for the first time in their history.
Although, this year has been very kind to King James, individual accomplishment-wise. He broke the ‘Captain’s all-time scoring record and also became the first player to reach 8000 career playoff points in NBA history. He is more than 2000 points ahead of the second-placed Michael Jordan. On the other hand, in the Eastern Conference Finals this season, Miami Heat has the upper hand over Boston Celtics as they lead 3-0. For them as well, the series may end tonight, as the WCF ended. Another 17-time champion might get knocked out after the Lakers did last night.
