Things looked pretty bleak for the Los Angeles Lakers early in Monday’s game vs. the Detroit Pistons. By halftime, the team trailed 65-52, and star LeBron James had yet to put a single point on the board.
That changed in the second half. The team battled back and James started putting up shots. The Lakers rallied for a huge third quarter before just barely falling short on the game’s final play to lose 113-110.
After the team’s slow start, it wound up being an encouraging loss, one that spoke to the Lakers’ resiliency. Still, things might have been different had James been able to put some points on the board early.
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The 23-year veteran was asked about his scoreless first half after the game, saying it’s part of “the role that I’m playing.”
James’ full answer read:
“It’s the role that I’m playing for the ball club. In order for us to win ball games, it’s the role that I’m playing. And that’s just how the game was going.”
Going scoreless in the first half was a pretty rare occurrence for the 41-year-old James. It’s just the third time in his career he’s been held without a single point at halftime, and the first time he’s found himself in that situation since 2010.
James made those comments pretty matter-of-factly, though that won’t stop people from reading into his words. It’s easy to interpret James’ statements as bitter given his legacy within the game. He was essentially the third option for the Lakers on Monday — behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. That’s not a role James has played often in his career.
And yet, it’s worked well for the Lakers. Prior to Monday’s loss, the team was on a nine-game win streak. James is still capable as a scorer — as he put up 30 points in a March 18 win vs. Houston — but he’s excelled as a distributor as well. While he failed to score in the first half Monday, James nearly finished the game with a triple-double, scoring 12 points, dishing out 10 assists and pulling down nine rebounds.
At this point in his career, James likely values winning another championship over anything else. His current play style might be unusual — for him, at least — but it gives the Lakers the best chance at a deep playoff run.
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