On February 22, Beijing time, the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend came to an end. As of today, the Lakers have a record of only 27 wins and 31 losses, ranking 9th in the West. As the big favourite team at the beginning of the tournament, such results obviously could not satisfy the team and the fans.
And just recently, the Lakers have once again caused controversy. With nothing to gain in the trading market, Lakers general manager Pelinka became the target of public criticism. The US media has exposed Pelinka lying to James and Davis, claiming that he will reinforce but in the end the grain is not received.
Meanwhile, during All-Star Weekend, James spoke in front of camera about his future. He said his future is full of uncertainties and does not rule out any possibilities, including a return to the Cavaliers and the final season of his career with his son Brownie.
In this regard, Marc Stein wrote an article analyzing the situation of the Lakers and James. He said what happened in the near future is likely to cause a rift in James' relationship with the Lakers' top brass. Stein said Pelinka is supported by Jenny Bass and the Rambis, who are the backbone of the Lakers' true think tank.
Regarding James' situation, Stein wrote: "Remember, the Lakers are a team that can completely sever ties with the team legend West. With his achievements on the court and management, West is definitely the greatest player in the history of the Lakers. James and Rich Paul do have a lot of control, but inside the Lakers, they're still outsiders. Since the Lakers can kick West out, they will do the same thing to James, provided he can't lead the Lakers out of trouble. ”
So far this season, James has averaged 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 block per game, shooting 52.2% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range. Although the personal performance is impeccable, it is clear that James's performance does not help the Lakers go further.