Lakers season came to an end early this year after a disappointing regular season run. LeBron James had the chance to win the NBA scoring title but, he claimed, this would be beneath him considering the Lakers’ got ousted from the postseason.
With the season ending on a disappointing note, James was not interested in chasing the scoring title, which ended up with Philadelphia 76ers’ superstar Joel Embiid. Embiid became the first center to win the title since Shaquille O’Neal back in 1999-2000 season.
L.A. beat the Denver Nuggets 146-141 in overtime to finish the season 33-49, the 22nd record in a 30-team league, after the Lakers came into training camp as one of the favorites to win the NBA championship.
“Going after the scoring title when you’re not making the postseason is the most wackest thing ever,” LeBron said, via Harrison Faigen.
L.A. lost 18 of 24 games following the All-Star break, with only the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers finishing with worse records during that span.
“Once we were eliminated from playoff contention, it wasn’t something to talk about or think about. I’m not going to be out there playing meaningless games just to win the scoring title. That’s so beneath me and where I am in my career”, the Lakers’ superstar stated.
James missed several games with injuries throughout the season. He sat down the last three games of the season and appeared in just 56 games for the Purple and Gold. Despite the injuries, he was nothing but dominant in the time he spent on the court.
LeBron had an impressive season, averaging 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting 52.4 percent from the floor and 35.9 percent from deep. The Lakers were eliminated from the postseason in early April with a 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
LeBron told reporters an MRI revealed he will not need offseason surgery on his left ankle even though he missed the team’s final five games.
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