"LeBron, you’re 0-4, what are we taking for granted?” – Shannon Sharpe argues against LeBron James'cryptic Instagram post implying LA Lakers are taking him for granted
Following the LA Lakers' disappointing 0-4 start, forward LeBron James posted a cryptic message implying that he’s being taken for granted. Long-time James supporter Shannon Sharpe gave his take on the message on his show, “Undisputed.”
James initially posted the cryptic message as the caption on one of his latest Instagram posts.
“How long will you be taken for granted ... Keep going kid,” James wrote.
Sharpe, who usually defends James’ actions, called him out in response. But first, Sharpe explained that it’s impressive that James is still playing well in Year 20.
“I don’t take LeBron James' greatness for granted," Sharpe said. "I am somewhat impressed by LeBron James playing 20 years (and) Tom Brady playing 23 years. I’m very impressed by how well they’re playing at that long period of time. … This is an anomaly.
“I just think the thing that LeBron is missing is, ‘Bruh, you’re 0-4.’ People are not going to give you credit," Sharpe said. ‘Like, OK, we take you for granted, but what are we taking for granted?’”
.@ShannonSharpe deciphers LeBron’s latest cryptic message:
“I don’t take LeBron James' greatness for granted. It’s impressive he's played for 20 years but LeBron, you’re 0-4 what are we taking for granted?” https://t.co/XOgwAAGia8
Sharpe added:
“If you were 2-2 maybe, or 3-1, maybe people would look at it different. You’re 0-4. You came close to winning one game. You came close to beating Portland. And you should have won that ballgame.”
It’s certainly a strange message from LeBron James. But to be fair, James is still new to being on bad teams. Many fans and analysts often assign the empty-stats label to players putting up big numbers on bad teams. So, until James and the Lakers start winning, that will likely continue to be the case.
The Lakers will look to get their first win of the season on Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2).
Shannon Sharpe says LeBron James' lack of “pizzazz” leads some people to underappreciate him
Continuing with the subject of LeBron James potentially being taken for granted, Shannon Sharpe touched on James’ lack of "pizzazz" throughout his career.
"I do think that because LeBron James has done it for so long, he can’t shoot the three like Steph (Curry), he doesn’t have the pizzazz like a (Michael) Jordan or a Kobe (Bryant), but he’s just consistent," Sharpe said. "He’s just put the ball in the basket as good, if not better, than anybody in the history of the game for 20 years.
“People like pizzazz now. People like the and-one moves. People like the highlight like ‘he’s in his bag.’ Very few times have you heard someone say LeBron in his bag.”
Sharpe finished:
“So, I just think he’s frustrated because his season is not going the way he anticipated. … Everybody’s healthy, and it’s not working.”
Whether the LA Lakers end up turning their season around remains to be seen. But either way, LeBron James is projected to pass Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer at some point this season. So, when James eventually reaches that milestone, he will more than likely get the credit and recognition that he’s been craving.