It was a difficult match for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
The Lakers found themselves trailing from tip-off as they suffered a 108-90 loss to the defending champions at the Paycom Center.
While it was a struggle for the Lakers, James did have a good game and posted impressive numbers. He ended his night with 27 points, four rebounds, and six assists. He shot at 71% from the field and made three out of his six three-pointer attempts. However, he didn't receive much help from his teammates.
Former NBA player Rashad McCants surprisingly criticized the 41-year-old for his lack of aggression in Game 1.
What's stopping you from taking the game over? It's always been my question with LeBron. Everyone just look at the box score and say 'He did his part'. No he did not do his part. He is supposed to take over the game. He's just gotta do better, and it ain't got sh*t to do with his age.
Rashad McCants on Gil's Arena podcastThe Thunder are the heavy favorites in this series, especially with Luka Doncicstill ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Things turned out worse for the Lakers as Jarred Vanderbiltinjured his pinkie finger during the match.
Without Doncic in the lineup, LeBron James has taken up the role of being the leader and played an instrumental role in their first-round win over the Houston Rockets. However, Rashad McCants was left unimpressed despite his impressive numbers against the Thunder in Game 1.
James will need Austin Reaves to step up in Game 2 after a poor showing on Tuesday night. With no signs of Doncic returning anytime soon, the Lakers have a huge task on their hands.
Rashad McCants' criticism of LeBron James is a bit too harsh. The four-time champion led the scorers in a game where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not score even 20 points. James averaged 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.3 assists over six games against the Rockets in the first round. He may not be the player he once was but he has shown he can still produce elite performances.
Following McCants' criticism of James, Eddie Johnson took to social media to hit back at his statements.
lol. Avg 8 shots a game and out of the league at 24. But the 41 year old gotta shoot more. I would say you should have shot more. What you think?
Eddie Johnson on XMcCants was drafted into the NBA in 2005, two years after James. But his NBA career lasted for just five seasons. Hence, Johnson did not hesitate to take shots at McCants.
No player in NBA history has defied Father Time like LeBron James. In his 23rd season in the NBA, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 60 appearances. It may be his lowest-scoring season since his rookie year but he adapted his game this season as he took a step back to let Doncic and Reaves lead the scoring.
Draymond Green believes that the Lakers' only chance is if James mans the game the whole game.
If he doesn't, they won't have much chance. So, I think their depth is far too much for the Lakers to handle. But LeBron looks comfortable. Like they're not going to do nothing to speed him up. He'll be fine. He can get those guys into the things that he want to get into, but cannot have those stretches of turnovers because those are points.
Draymond Green on The Draymond Green ShowThe Thunder are looking to go back-to-back this year and have been the best side in the league over the last two years. It is unfair to expect a 41-year-old to dominate for multiple games against a side like the Thunder. But if the Lakers have any chance against the defending champions, they need James to take over games like he did in the past.
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