For the first time since the 2004-05 season, LeBron James is going to miss the playoffs. His Los Angeles Lakers were mathematically eliminated from the postseason on Friday, leaving the basketball world to ponder basketball after April without LeBron.
The Lakers are actually in a playoff drought of their own — this makes six consecutive seasons in the draft lottery for a franchise that is historically used to success. Lakers fans may have been hoping that the drought would end with LeBron on board, but this won’t be the year.
While there may be some disappointment among the Lakers faithful, LeBron took to Instagram to promise better days ahead for the franchise.
It isn’t hard to believe LeBron here. The Lakers will be major players in free agency this year, with plenty of cap space to woo another superstar — and not to mention, they have LeBron James! Injuries were a factor this year, as was his supporting cast, but even at the age of 34, LeBron posted 27-8-8 averages in line with the rest of his career numbers.
Speaking to reporters after being eliminated from the playoffs, LeBron did express some disappointment, acknowledging that this season was “not what we signed up for, but throughout the year, things happen.”
h/t Instagram/kingjames
