"Let's not let LeBron off the same hook" – Skip Bayless compares Tom Brady and LeBron James' behavior in defeats
LeBron James has come under immense criticism for not attending the postgame news conference after a blowout loss Saturday to the Denver Nuggets.
On Fox Sports' "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed," sports media personality Skip Bayless compared James' actions to how NFL superstar Tom Brady handles such situations in the same manner.
Brady is notoriously known for not shaking hands with the opposition after losses. His sideline theatrics have also involved him throwing tablets containing plays run by his team.
Such behavior has been described as childish and pouty by Bayless and he has often in the past lambasted Brady for the way he conducts himself after a defeat.
Bayless said:
"But let's not let LeBron off the same hook, because he's obviously often trying to compare himself to Brady, put himself in the same conversation with Brady. Well, LeBron can be pouty and childish after losses, too."
Bayless criticized "King James" for his absence from media duties after a 133-96 loss at Denver on Saturday:
"He is the King. He is not only the face of this franchise, he is the face of the league. And obviously, because of that, you cannot duck after losing by 37 at Denver on a Saturday night. You just can't."
He continued:
"You are the leader of the team in basketball – the Los Angeles Lakers, who were the consensus favorite to win it all before the season started. So when that happens, you have to speak, in part to protect your teammates."
.@RealSkipBayless reacts to LeBron skipping a postgame interview:
"LeBron is not only the face of this franchise, he is the face of the league. You cannot duck after losing by 37 at Denver. You just can't." https://t.co/DAMt44YzDV
Recapping LeBron James' and the Lakers' performance at Denver
To say that it was an abysmal performance from the LA Lakers against the Denver Nuggets would be an understatement. The Nuggets were missing two key players in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., yet they won 133-96.
It was a thoroughly disappointing performance from the most-storied franchise in league history. Nobody scored more than 20 points for the Lakers barring LeBron James (25 points), and only three players were in double digits. The defeat was so bad that the great Magic Johnson took to Twitter to let his displeasure be known.
After being blown out by the Nuggets 133-96, we as @Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of urgency. Owner @JeanieBuss, you deserve better.
Even though Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets' best player, played under 29 minutes, the big man had a triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists while shooting over 58% (50% from 3-point range).
All five Nuggets starters scored in double digits, with Jeff Green getting a game-high 26 points on better than 71% shooting. This clearly outlined the defensive woes for the Lakers as they are ranked 18th in the league in defensive ratings.
In 25 minutes for Malik Monk, who has arguably been the best player for the Lakers after James, had only five shots. Avery Bradley had two shots in almost 20 minutes. It is no coincidence the Lakers are ranked 24th in offensive ratings.
It was a thoroughly disappointing night for James and the Lakers as they continue to hover around the 0.500 mark in the Western Conference. Championship aspirations seem a long way away at the moment.