After today’s Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers have been eliminated from NBA Championship contention this season. The Lakers were expected to make an epic comeback after being three down. However, after this disheartening sweep, the morale of many players, including LeBron James, seems to have been severely affected. In the post-game presser, King James dropped a cryptic hint about retirement. However, Skip Bayless, on Undisputed, claimed that he is confident that LeBron will not retire at the end of the season.
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Skip Bayless has theories about LeBron not retiring, wherein he gives the example of Aaron Rodgers’ retirement plans from the NFL. Here is what Skip thinks about the playoff game and the whole fiasco after LeBron’s cryptic post-game press conference.
Skip Bayless confident about LeBron James playing in the league even after disappointing sweep
In the latest episode of Undisputed featuring Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe, Bayless was as shocked as everyone else. He never expected a retirement call from the firm and ardent King James. However, he had theories about why LeBron would make such cryptic statements about hanging his basketball shoes.
In one of the latest clips from Undisputed, Skip Bayless said:
“There is NO way LeBron James is going to retire, in my humble estimation, at this moment.”
Skip Bayless further compared this to Aaron Rodgers’ plans for retirement, which forced him a trade from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets. Skip says,
“The first thing that hit me was, this is almost like the page from Aaron Rodgers’ handbook. I don’t think LeBron is as easy as Aaron Rodgers.”
Aaron Rodgers was having a tumultuous season with the Green Bay Packers, and after three straight home losses, he announced his retirement. Skip Bayless thinks LeBron is beyond such acts, and that his feelings are deeply hurt.
“There is NO way LeBron James is going to retire, in my humble estimation, at this moment.” — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/FaHUI5lVza
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 23, 2023
Skip’s statements seem evident from LeBron’s quotes at the press conference. After the heartbreaking loss, LeBron appeared in front of the media and said:
“I don’t like to say it’s a successful year because I don’t play for anything besides winning championships at this point in my career. You know, I don’t get a kick out of making a Conference [Finals] appearance. I’ve done it, a lot. And it’s not fun to me to not be able to be part of getting to the Finals.”
The major hint for a possible retirement came in when LeBron said:
“We’ll see what happens going forward. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got to think about.”
King James’ retirement plans might affect his chances to play in the same team as his son Bronny
On May 6, LeBron’s son Bronny James joined USC and is a step closer to playing in the NBA. After being a top-ranked high-school prospect, Bronny will be eligible for the NBA draft in 2024. When a fan had asked LeBron on Twitter about playing with his son, he replied:
“That’s the plan! God willing”
That’s the plan! God willing 🙏🏾🤞🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 17, 2022
In January, LeBron said he dreamed of playing against his son in the NBA. He also does not rule out the idea of playing with his son. This would make LeBron similar to Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. appearing together in the same lineup in 1990. He said:
“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny….either in the same uniform or a matchup against him. But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure.”
Considering LeBron’s plans for his future, retirement would mean all of these aspirations would go to waste. We don’t know if LeBron’s plans to retire are absolute. However, considering Skip Bayless’ words and every other prospect, there might be factors that would hold him back from such a decision.
