LeBron James‘ first season in Lakers purple and gold did not go to plan, as he will miss the postseason for the first time in 2005. Earlier this week, the team announced James would be shut down for the rest of the year.
“After consulting with our team doctors and medical staff, we have decided to hold LeBron out of games for the remainder of the season,” the team said in a statement released by president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and GM Rob Pelinka.“This decision will allow his groin to fully heal, and is best for the future success of both LeBron and the Lakers.” (Twitter link)
Head coach Luke Walton expanded on the team’s decision shut down its superstar. Despite James’ desire to play and compete, the team wanted the 34-year-old to rest up and enjoy a healthy offseason. James missed over a month due to a serious groin injury earlier in the season, which limited him to just 55 games this season.
“He wants to play,” Walton told reporters. “My understanding from the medical staff, they finally said, ‘Look, it’s just not worth it anymore. Let’s make sure you have a healthy summer.'”
James still posted solid numbers, averaging 27.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 8.3 APG for Los Angeles. Given the Lakers’ reported interest in pairing LeBron with another superstar this summer, the team wants him healthy if that happens.
Mike Conley, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and more are still playing for teams that are way out of the playoffs
Clearly LBJ not fully recovered, saves himself only for offense. The 3 you mentioned didn’t miss significant time with injuries and/or are not currently injured.
guess if he was still hurt should of waited till healed to come back stop making excuses for these over paid athletes
He’s much older than Booker and Beal…also I’m sure the Lakers would rather improve their draft position.
It’s just Michael Jordan on the Wizards or the last couple of Kobe years on the Lakers. When great players get to a certain age, they can still score and put up numbers, but they just can’t win by themselves anymore.
No one wins by themselves anymore though, and MJ/Kobe didn’t when they played either. Batman needs Robin. But now you need the entire Justice League to beat the Warriors.
He legitimately played very well before the injury, he clearly needed more time to rehab. There were no legitimate high level players avalible last summer and Magic screwed up every choice he made putting a circus of ball hogs around LeBron. I don’t even consider myself a fan if James, but his haters take it too far.
Banking on “LA” for PG13 was a big mistake on Magic’s part. Hard to see a path to a championship given that they’ll likely strikeout with any of the top FAs.
I can see Kyrie going. But that’s it. Jimmy will get offered the max in Philly and stay.
Walton probably just wanted to be able to actually coach what may be his last few games for the Lakers without having to be “GOATed”.
goat? mebron? heck no!
#striveforgreatness < jordan never shut down early
“James still posted solid numbers, averaging 27.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 8.3 APG” That is gotta be the understatement of the century, right? I mean those numbers are at the very least MVP caliber numbers!!!
Yea CESC, Lebron for MVP…. smh. He is still good, just cant make anyone around him better.
I didn’t even read this article… why would it be worth it?
Sadly I can’t say the same for your comment.
Not James’ choice, and he hurts the tank.
The national team is available. Participating might be a good idea, as it might keep him from coming in too hot next year after an extra-long restless layoff.
this shutting down players on every team for whatever reason is a joke
an overpaid, coddled baby. if he is not playing, what is the point of being in the league?
Agree with basicmo, why would anyone want to watch the last 10 games of their team’s regular season any more with all the player shutdowns? It’s become a G League audition lately.
League took crap for unnecessary rest days a few years back, and this is just the “back door” way of still doing that.
Like the pro bowl, not all play in the game. NBA is in trouble