ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst puts LeBron James in the dock, noticing a particular trend in his 19-year old career in the NBA.
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With the Lakers close to tanking this season, questions remains if LeBron James intends to end his career in the Hollywood city. The four-time Finals MVP still has one-year left on his contract with the Lakers. Thus a lot of uncertainty looms over his future with the King’s championship window closing.
In the past, we’ve seen James leave teams not capable of winning the chip post a certain point, the Cavaliers and Heat being the prime example. The superstar would stay put till he felt a ring was on the cards but leave once the team was past its prime.
When LBJ decided to leave Cleveland and join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, it created one of the ugliest controversies in American sports history. Nonetheless, post winning two championships with the Heat, James would return to Cleveland and deliver on his promise.
However, the Warriors juggernaut, coupled with the Kyrie Irving wanting out, had James sign with the LA Lakers in 2018.
Brian Windhorst accuses LeBron James of causing organizational fatigue.
Having covered James since his high school days in Akron, Windhorst has studied the future Hall of Famer’s entire career. Thus with rumors of James wanting out of the Lakers doing the rounds, Windy revealed an interesting observation of the superstar’s trajectory.
“LeBron’s career operates in four-year increments. He wears his team out. I call it organizational fatigue,” said Windhorst. “It happened the first time in Cleveland. They ran out of draft picks, they had a bunch of guys in their mid-30s. Shaq close to the finish line, Antawn Jamison.
“He goes to Miami, four years, great run, they run out of draft picks. In his last game, three guys retired after the game. He goes to Cleveland, four years, great run. They run out of draft picks. They got old guys. Here we are in LA, fourth year. The oldest team we’ve seen in NBA history, they’re out of draft picks, they’re exhausted.”
However, the ESPN analyst added that the Lakers fan need not worry about James leaving LA, saying the following.
“I don’t think he wants to move. He wants to have his cake and eat it, too.”
It’s a well-known fact that James has a say in every front office decision, especially involving who he wants as his teammates. The Russell Westbrook trade being the latest example that sent the likes of Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and KCP to the Wizards.
Thus the eighteen-time All-Star can exhaust an organization of its draft picks, young rookies, and role players.
However, one cannot deny James delivering, as he has a championship with all the three franchises he’s played with during his career.
