“If Only LeBron James Played a Little Defense”: Skip Bayless Keeps Slapping and Complimenting the King as Warriors Win Game 5

LeBron James and the Lakers were there. In Game 5, they started firing early, and despite a flurry from deep from the Warriors, they managed to stay just 2 points behind. And yet, as the game grew on, they seemed to only get better, making just about every shot they threw up. And when the Dubs are firing like that, no team in the history of the NBA can keep up. But Skip Bayless doesn’t care about all that. He was supporting LeBron James for this whole game, much to the shock of just about every fan of the King across the globe. And we are here to record all his reactions, along with the one in the end, when the Warriors finally closed this game out.

Of course, Skip Bayless has been showing a trend of actually supporting James when the going gets tough in the last few months. But given that it is Skip Bayless, of course, he will also criticize the man harder than anyone else in the world. So, in the end, it was a rollercoaster for the man. And of course, we weren’t ever going to let that man’s reactions go as is. So, here they are, cataloged, for your viewing.

 

Skip Bayless’s rollercoaster of reactions as the Warriors close out game 5

For a while there, LeBron James and the Lakers looked like they were not only going to ride out the storm but actually even steal this game, leading to a slew of excited reactions from Skip Bayless. Here are just some of his reactions on Twitter.

COME ON, LEBRON, SNAP OUT OF IT. THIS WAS THE GAME YOU NEEDED TO IMPOSE YOUR WILL ON EARLY, SHOW THE WARRIORS YOU GUYS ARE JUST BETTER. INSTEAD, SLOPPY TURNOVERS. NO REAL ENERGY OR URGENCY. AND … YOU’RE ALREADY IN DANGER OF GETTING BLOWN OUT AND LETTING GST RECREATE MOMENTUM.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

The Warriors came out with fire in eyes, made 7 threes in the 1st quarter … yet Schroder shot for the lead with 30 seconds left. Lakers still afloat. Now if LeBron will quit playing like he’s 48 …

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

I predicted 4 threes for LeBron tonight. There’s one.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

Come on, LeBron, FINISH.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

Two.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

Three.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

Of course, Bayless supporting James and the crew doesn’t mean that all of his feedback was going to be positive. However, as time grew on, his reactions got a bit more predictable.

If only LeBron would also play a little defense instead of conserving energy on that end.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

“If only LeBron James would also play a little defense instead of conserving energy on that end”

Now the Lakers teeter on the edge of getting blown out. BUT THE PRESSURE IS STILL ON THE HOME TEAM RIGHT NOW. IF THE LAKERS DON’T RALLY NOW, THE PRESSURE WILL BE SUFFOCATING ON THEM BACK HOME ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

ATTACK, LEBRON.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

And by the end, the man was back to being pessimistic about LeBron James and the Lakers.

The Lakers had so many chances tonight, and so many turnovers and blown shots at the rim.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 11, 2023

Admittedly, Skip Bayless actively supporting LeBron James came as a bit of a surprise. However, in the end, the 71 year old man was back to his old antics all over again. Now, the real question is, will he be supporting the Lakers to close it out in 6 at Crypto.com Arena.