LeBron James has been at the top of his game over the twenty years in the NBA. He has given his sweat and blood for the teams – Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers and has won titles with each of those three teams. After a title drought for seven years with the Cavaliers, he moved to Heat and won a couple of championships with them. Later, he came back home to Cleveland to end their title drought.
Finally, in 2016, LeBron James led the Cavaliers to beat the Golden States Warriors after falling back 1-3. It was for the first time in the history of the NBA that a team won the NBA Finals after trailing 1-3. But LeBron James helped his hometown franchise to create that history. And once again, the King led the Los Angeles Lakers to their 17th title in 2020. However, when he will be 39 next year, will he be as effective as he once was back in his prime days? Kendrick Perkins thinks otherwise.
LeBron James Won’t Lead The Lakers To Their 18th Title, Says Perkins
Apparently, James won’t lead the LA side next season onwards. The onus is on Anthony Davis to lead the side to their 18th championship. On the show, First Take, ESPN’s analyst Kendrick Perkins pointed out that LeBron James will be 39 in the next season’s playoffs. According to Perkins, “It is too hard to rely on a 39-year-old to lead a team to championship glory“. Although he also believes that the Lakers have a good chance of winning their 18th title next year. But it will depend on Davis, who is still in his prime. He has already led the Lakers to turn things around in the mid-season of the 2022-23 edition.
.@KendrickPerkins doesn't believe LeBron can lead the Lakers to a title this season 😳 pic.twitter.com/Pv5Dp7LfWr
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 13, 2023
At one point, it did not look possible that the Lakers could even make the postseason. But the inconsistent Anthony Davis carried the Los Angeles Lakers to the Western Conference Finals. That’s what Kendrick Perkins is suggesting. It does not matter how far the Lakers will reach. But the onus will be on AD to carry them as far as possible. On the other hand, LeBron James will play a vital role in motivating his teammates to win the title for him and the team. Only time will tell if the man from Akron, Ohio, gets his 5th championship ring and helps the Lakers get their 18th trophy.
How Long Can James Try For Winning His 5th Title?
LeBron James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and led the great franchise to win their 17th title in 2019-20. Since then, he has not won another title so far. He is still a four-time champion. But at 38, the King is at the twilight of his career. Hence, the question arises, how long does the King have to win his fifth and make the pentagram complete?
Apparently, doubts are arising that LeBron James won’t be able to lead the Lakers anymore in the hopes of winning a title. After the humiliating loss in the hands of the eventual champions, Denver Nuggets, in the Western Conference Finals, James gave a couple of hints about his retirement plans. However, at present, it looks like LeBron James will play in the next season. It will mark his 21st season in the NBA.
