LeBron James on what he meant by his "Maybe it's Me" tweet: "I’m always challenging myself, taking accountability for myself"
LeBron James caused a media sensation a few days ago when he cryptically tweeted “Maybe it’s Me.” The post came hours after Kyrie Irving, who the LA Lakers superstar reportedly wanted to reunite with, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
In an interview with ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, James clarified what he meant by that tweet:
(8: 20)
“It’s all about accountability for me. I’m always challenging myself, taking accountability for myself. Your greatest challenge and your greatest enemy is the person that you’re looking in the mirror.
I’m always just trying to take accountability for me. What can I do better? How can I be better? Are there things that I can do more? Are there things that I can do better? … It’s me talking to me and holding myself accountable.”
LeBron James has been more than accountable this season. He’s been the LA Lakers' best player even when he’s already 38 years old. Anthony Davis looked like he would become the team’s MVP this campaign, but James has just been healthier and with a bigger impact on winning.
When Davis injured his right foot against the Denver Nuggets last Dec. 16, the four-time MVP kept the Lakers afloat. He played like a top-five player in the NBA, carrying the team to a 10-10 record. “King James” is averaging 34.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists without Davis.
Despite LeBron James' MVP-level play, the LA Lakers are stuck in 13th place in the Western Conference. They’re only 1.5 games behind the Utah Jazz for 10th place and the final play-in spot. But they’ve been nailed to their current standing for more than two months already.
Maybe It’s Me
The LA Lakers’ net rating with the recently-named NBA All-Star team captain in the lineup is -0.3. Without him, it drops to -4.8. They are worse when he’s unavailable despite having co-superstars that are much younger than him.
The LA Lakers look content to roll with their squad after acquiring Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards. They will certainly need LeBron James to keep up his level of play to have just a chance of entering the play-in tournament.
LeBron James and the LA Lakers have moved on from Kyrie Irving
The LA Lakers reportedly offered Russell Westbrook and their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks for Kyrie Irving. They were also rumored to be willing to include Max Christie and Austin Reaves if the Nets played hardball.
The Nets ultimately moved Irving to Dallas, supposedly under Joe Tsai’s instructions that the point guard couldn’t end up in LA.
Here’s LeBron James on the failed attempt to get his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate:
(9:06)
“Well, definitely disappointed. I can’t say I’m not disappointed in not being able to land such a talent, someone I know I have great chemistry with on the floor that can help you win championships, in my mind, in my eyes. But my focus has shifted now.
"My focus has shifted back to where it should be and that’s this club now and what we have in the locker room. That’s a quick pivot. It don’t take me long.”
LeBron says he’s disappointed the Lakers didn’t land Kyrie Irving
(Via ESPN) https://t.co/MloB313tH1
LeBron James is on the cusp of breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring mark and he’s doing everything he can to get them to the playoffs.
Yes, it’s him, who’s doing the heavy lifting at age 38. It’s not on him if the Lakers end up having another long offseason to think about what might have been.