Getty Image / Kevork Djansezian
Both of these things are true: LeBron James is one of the greatest if not THE greatest NBA player in history. Also, the NBA Preseason really doesn’t matter at all.
While both of those statements can be true, it can also be very concerning that LeBron James missed every single shot in his NBA Preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers were BAD last season. They finished 2021-22 with a 33-49 record (.402) including just 18-34 in the Western Conference.
The Lakers organization, Lakers fans, and LeBron James certainly hope for better in the 2022-23 season but LeBron’s preseason debut was a bit ominous. In the 16 minutes LeBron was on the court, King James took 7 shots from the field and missed all 7. Lakers fans certainly let him hear it on social media afterward.
LeBron James had a historically awful NBA Preseason debut and missed every single shot. Lakers fans let him hear it afterward on social media.
Is this the King James version of the ‘Surrender Cobra‘?
LeBron James has opened the Lakers' first preseason game shooting 0-for-6 from the field. He was clearly frustrated after missing the last shot he was fouled on, shaking his head as he looked down at the floor.
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) October 4, 2022
This will be his 20th year in the league!
LeBron James in the first half vs Kings:
16 Minutes
4 Points
0-7 FG
0% 3PTYEAR 20 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/r4zoqGXh4L
— Hater Central (@TheHateCentral) October 4, 2022
It wasn’t just a fever dream, it really happened:
Had a dream the Lakers lost by 30 to the worst team in the league and Lebron missed every shot…
— Jelon (@JelonMusks) October 4, 2022
Was it the Kings’ defense doing the work or LeBron James just throwing up bricks?
Lebron James has not made a field goal in 19 minutes of NBA preseason basketball. Kings defense is stopping Mr. 27/7/7 apparently?
— CHRIS (@pocketjanitor) October 4, 2022
YIKES, this take is going a bit too far.
I swear to god Kobe is rolling over in his grave rn watching lebron play as a laker, this man is 0-7 vs the kings in the preseason. Missing layups, shooting bricks, I’ve never seen a so called 🐐 shoot and miss as many layups as this man 🤦♂️ let’s see how this season goes
— its Yooo kos (chaos) (@Yooo_kos) October 4, 2022
Trade him to where? For what? No chance that’s happening:
This is absolutely appalling, LeBron James shooting 0-7? The Lakers need to trade him while they still can and build a new team around their franchise player Russell Westbrook. I suggest trading LeBron for KD, he would be the perfect number 2 to backup Russ. pic.twitter.com/9F9SGQ107Q
— Alexander Lombardy (@AuggiejrAsh) October 4, 2022
King James was asked about playing with Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook
"It's all about time." – LeBron James comments on playing with Davis and Westbrook and his poor shooting game in the preseason opener. #Lakers pic.twitter.com/ll07iEzcw1
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) October 4, 2022
LeBron talks about how this is all about ‘rhythm’ and ‘conditioning’. But this is his TWENTIETH year in the league. One would think he’d be able to keep his conditioning in check during the offseason. That’s what has led to Tom Brady’s longevity and LeBron James 100% knows that.
If I was a Lakers fan, I’d be more concerned about LeBron discussing his conditioning than missing all 7 shots.