LeBron James had one of the most disappointing NBA seasons of his career this year. His team, the Los Angeles Lakers was unable to even make the play-in tournament. Therefore, they were eliminated from postseason contention before it even began. Much of the NBA world and media have speculated how he has been dealing with this failure.
It is not fair to blame the NBA veteran. His team might have had a much worse record had he not played. However, the world of ifs and buts does not help a team that failed to be in the top half of the league. King James was asked how it felt to be eliminated early in the NBA postseason.
There is no denying that the 4x NBA Champion felt he simply “belonged” in the NBA playoffs. It must have been very difficult or strange to experience watching the rest of the teams compete. He must have felt conflict regarding watching the games considering his life is surrounded by basketball and to be absent from it for such a long time certainly had an impact.
LeBron James felt torn apart during his vacation
King James had several takes on the postseason. The most notable of these was his heavy support of Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. His life seemed to revolve around the sport of basketball to an extent that he explained how his wife didn’t believe they were going on vacation.
“Listen, man, I took my wife to her dream destination to the Maldives right after the season… she never thought I would go every time she asked me about it I would be like no it’s too f**king long too far I only got done playing done in June I only got a month and a half to relax before I get going.. so when I told her we were going she still didn’t, believe me, she didn’t believe me till we pulled up to the plane.”
LeBron explained how he was unable to separate himself from the NBA. This was despite being isolated on an island in the Maldives on vacation. It is important to note that the Maldives is around 12 hours ahead of California time. Therefore, he would have to wake up at absurd times to watch the games live.
“I was literally in the Maldives waking up at 3 o’clock watching the playoff games like every single game at 3 o’clock like waking up .. like as much as I don’t wanna watch it …it burns my stomach to not be a part of these games because this is the best time to play basketball… Like the fan in me cant not… I just love it.”
Anyone would find it difficult to watch others perform on a stage that they are accustomed to performing in. Needless to say, if the LA lakers do not step up next season, he is unlikely to step foot on said stage.