Ever since he was featured on that famous Sports Illustrated cover, LeBron James has exceeded nearly every single expectation put on him as a teenager.
But whether he likes it or not, James’ age is catching up to him, and while he’s still put in some ‘prime LeBron’ performances this year, the Los Angeles Lakers are no longer his team, as he’s now playing second, and even third fiddle, at times behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Additionally, the one true way to see James is slowing down, along with his injuries, is the latest NBA All-Star voting return, in which he ranked 8th in the West in fan vote, and is in serious risk of missing out on the honor for the first time in 22 years.
Writing for Bleacher Report, Lee Escobedo detailed the reality of how James’ status as an All-Star starter, as well as a superstar in the NBA, is coming to an end.
LeBron James’ Status On The Lakers And As An All-Star
Along with the numerous reports on potential retirement after his contract with the Lakers ends after this season, it’s clearly not him calling the shots for the team anymore. And while he currently holds the streak of the most All-Star nods in a row in league history, that could also be coming to an end.
“The NBA is not obligated to hand out All-Star starts based on what someone used to be. Even if that someone is a top-two GOAT candidate,” Escobedo wrote. “That’s always been the deal, even if LeBron James spent two decades being the rare player whose selection was guaranteed. That’s not the case anymore.”
On the season, James is averaging 21.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.9 assists on 51% shooting in 19 games. The counting numbers are all his lowest since his rookie season. While he did miss the first month of the season with sciatica, and the fact that he’s taken a backseat to Doncic, which he’s acknowledged, those averages are a clear sign that he finally might be starting to lose his battle with Father Time.
As Escobedo wrote on the All-Star voting returns, Lakers fans are now choosing Doncic over James, which is a clear sign that he’s no longer the same player seen in Cleveland or Miami.
“For the first time in his career, LeBron is no longer the gravitational center of his team. Rightly so, Dončić is the Lakers’ most essential player, with Austin Reaves as the No. 2,” he wrote. “There’s a sound argument that LeBron is now the third-most impactful player on the Lakers.”
While Doncic is now a shoo-in to become an All-Star starter, Reaves’ long-term injury will likely put him out of contention for the honor. Yet still, James making the All-Star game strictly based on his name, for the first time ever, might not be a reality.
LeBron James Retirement Is Nearing
At the same time that his status to become a 22-time All-Star is now in question, the idea of James’ career coming to an end is growing.
In a recent article on ESPN, Dave McMenamin discussed the multiple angles from which James could very well be hinting that he is winding down his career, whether it be stopping to ‘smell the roses’, talking about spending more time with his family, or his continued efforts to improve his golf game.
Yet still, as Sam Quinn of CBS Sports wrote, it’s nearly impossible to see James ending his legendary career without a retirement tour.
“Does LeBron James seem like the sort of player who would go out quietly following an early playoff exit?” Quinn asked recently. “Of course not. He’d want a retirement tour. He’d want a year of genuflection.”
As Escobedo added, the injuries are catching up to the league’s all-time leading scorer. Along with missing a major chunk of the Lakers’ season, he recently sat out of the team’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, and put a ‘TBD’ tag on himself for back-to-back games for the rest of the season.
Additionally, as seen with his major drop on the defensive side of the floor, James is no longer necessary for the Lakers’ success, as that now chiefly hinges on Doncic, whether L.A. fans want to admit it or not.
LeBron James Hit With Brutal Reality On Lakers Future, Retirement