"I got a lot to think about" - LeBron James drops a hint of possible retirement after Year 20 ends in a sweep
LeBron James' 20th season in the NBA ended after four straight losses to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. It's the first time in his career that he has been swept before reaching the championship round.
With nearly nothing left to accomplish in his first-ballot Hall of Fame career, James had this to say in his presser (via Jovan Buha):
"I got a lot to think about. ... Just personally, with me moving forward with the game of basketball, I got a lot to think about."
LeBron James ended his postgame press conference on a cryptic note...
H/T @jovanbuha https://t.co/qyPiP2VzEH
James has had a trying last two seasons with the LA Lakers. He failed to make the postseason a year ago and barely managed to get into the playoffs this year. Only LA GM Rob Pelinka's flurry of trade deadline moves helped push this team past the regular season.
The Lakers, though, were one of the biggest surprises. A relatively healthy LeBron James avoided a season-ending right foot injury to lead LA to two playoff-round upsets.
"King James" showed that he still have enough to carry his team past the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. He then displayed his still elite form by dethroning the defending champion Golden State Warriors in the semi-finals.
However, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the top-seeded Denver Nuggets were just too tough to crack. Denver's deep and well-balanced roster, led by the two-time MVP simply had an answer to everything the Lakers threw at them.
On most nights, LeBron James can still carry a team, even in the Conference finals. The tread in his tire, however, is starting to show more than just a little wear and tear. James was insanely good in the first half but fizzled in the second half.
After erupting for 31 points in the first 24 minutes of the game, he could only add nine points thereon. He only scored two points in the fourth quarter and missed two attempts that could have potentially forced overtime in the last seconds of the game.
LeBron James may have to play at least one more year to play with his son in the NBA
LeBron James has insisted over the last few years that his biggest and most important goal is to play alongside his son, Bronny James. The younger James has just committed to play college ball for USC. If James Jr. plays just one season and becomes eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft, "King James" will be 40 in his son's rookie year.
James vowed that at that point, money will no longer be an issue. He declared that he would be playing for the team that picks his son in the draft.
The LA Lakers are coming off a sweep, which is why James' frustrations are understandable. However, if LA struggles again next season, one has to wonder if the four-time MVP can still hold on to wait for his son's first year in the NBA.
LeBron James has a long offseason to think about his future. The allure of playing with James Jr. may be too great for him to be discouraged by past failures.
Expect the four-time champ to stay true to his dream regarding Bronny James and the NBA.
Also read: LeBron James reveals playing with son Bronny James is one goal he puts above everything else in exclusive interview