Piece by: Austin Payne
The NBA is under more pressure to get its season back on track than any other league. MLB has 160+ games to work with that it can cut down on, the Premier League should be back next month, the NFL is planning to go on as scheduled, and the NHL doesn't have LeBron James.
LeBron is the reason the NBA is under pressure. He's the biggest storyline every season, and this one is no exception. To lead the Lakers to this start, one of the best in the league, with no real help on offense outside of AD, with a first year head coach, and at age 35, is insane.
The teams shot at a title last year was killed by injuries and trade rumors, but this was the year. LeBron is 35 and this may be one of his last shots at winning another one, and the entire league is basically waiting in anticipation of how this Lakers Clippers rivalry will play out, and if LeBron and AD would overcome Kawhi & his deep roster.
Now though, we don't even know when or if the season will return, and if it does where it will be played. It has no chance of being the same. Could the Lakers return and do it again next season when LBJ is 36? Maybe, but it seems unlikely. Can he still average 25/7/8 when he's 37? 38? That would be...insane, but you can already see the mileage.
He's still LeBron, but he just doesn't move the same. Still a freak athlete, still got hops, just not the young fluid James anymore.
Despite that, he's still elite and capable of winning a championship on the way down. But now...who knows?