Couch: In This Defining Moment, LeBron Shows Us . . . That He's Old
The whole game, you just kept wondering why. Why, LeBron, why? Or maybe when. At least, that’s what I was thinking.
Why isn’t LeBron James going for it? When is he even going to attack the basket?
James had a big and defining moment Thursday night, as he tried to keep from being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in his career. It was up to him, him and only him. His co-star, Anthony Davis, was too hurt -- yet again -- and shouldn’t have been on the court.
I couldn’t help but think what would happen if Michael Jordan were in this same spot. What new level of greatness would he reach?
But in the end, James and the defending champ Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns 113-100, and LeBron was canceled from the playoffs.
James wasn’t even special.
“I always think about, from the moment we entered the bubble (last season) until now, today,’’ he said afterward. “It’s been draining -- mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally draining.’’
Is that why? He was tired? It would make sense. The Lakers had to play through the playoffs last year and their season ended just nine months ago, when everyone else’s, other than Miami’s, ended sooner. And now, not only are the Lakers out, but so is Miami.
Or it might have been his ankle, which has bothered and limited him.
Or maybe he was doing the Jordan thing, where sometimes he’d get his teammates involved early, let Scottie Pippen carry things and then MJ would take over in the second half on fresh legs.
I think all of those things added together, actually. But the main answer to why is that LeBron had a senior moment. Age gets to everyone eventually, though no one seems to tell that to Serena Williams, Tom Brady or Phil Mickelson. Brady has blockers, though, and Mickelson isn’t playing the most athletic game.
Eventually, someone will tell them, too. Usually, the message comes from ligaments and cartilage.
I went to one of Evander Holyfield’s final fights, and as amazing as he looked, he still just couldn’t let his punches go, to get them off. That’s what happens to old fighters. That’s what James looked like.
Just like that, this isn’t James’ league anymore. Nine months ago, he won his fourth championship and had set the NBA on a social activist course, with him as the leader.
It hits fast. The schedule delays from COVID and the activism and two basketball seasons end-to-end made James old fast.
Early in the game, when the Lakers were falling behind by 29 points, James got the ball in the post, bent his knees and never even flinched toward the basket, choosing instead to find someone else to pass to. By the end of the game, when he tried to take charge, he’d lose the dribble to someone’s quicker hands or he’d miss a layup. Or a 3-pointer.
At one point, he attacked the net and was clearly fouled, but there was no call. Officials always favor the best players, but they could see it, too:
LeBron’s time as the dominant force is up.
He is 36, and he says now that three months of rest will be perfect for him, and his ankle. That would mean skipping the Olympics. But even Charles Barkley sees it, saying that if the Lakers and LeBron are going to keep winning, then Davis is going to have to be the best player on the team.
But Davis is always hurt.
Maybe the league is Devin Booker’s now. He’s just 24 years old, and he pumped in 47 points in James’ big game. He has always been able to produce numbers, but on Thursday night, he showed guts, too. The league is loaded with great young players now: Trae Young, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, so many others.
And LeBron is still great and still has the Q-rating, which he’ll never give up. But that game Thursday night felt like a torch-passing.
It was unfair of me to expect James to have a Jordan moment. He isn’t MJ. He’s never going to be.
And maybe basketball was lucky to have that moment Thursday night. You need the torch-passing. When Jordan left, there wasn’t one and it took years for the NBA to convince fans that the remaining players were any good.
The dominant player needs to lose to someone, or all the other someones don’t seem legit. That’s why Naomi Osaka’s wins over Williams will mean so much to tennis when Serena leaves.
Why wouldn’t LeBron go for it? When was he going to attack the basket? I’m not sure, but legends are made from people overcoming the odds.
Jordan scored 38 points in his famous Flu Game, when Pippen had to hold him up so that he could stand.
You want to know what Jordan would have done in James’ shoes Thursday night? I promise you he would have won. And keep one thing in mind:
He’s 58 years old.