Skip Bayless And LeBron James (Images Credit: Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for an exciting preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday at the Fiserv Forum. Fans are eager to watch LeBron James and Anthony Davis take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and new star Damian Lillard. However, LeBron has shared his frustration about the travel demands for this preseason schedule.
On Wednesday, the four-time NBA champion expressed his displeasure on X (formerly Twitter). “Can someone please explain to me why we’re getting on a ✈️ and heading to Milwaukee for 1 pre-season game!?!?” LeBron wrote, raising concerns about the long 1,750-mile trip for just one exhibition game. This issue resonates with fans, especially since all six of the Lakers’ preseason games are being played on the road due to renovations at Crypto.com Arena.
Skip Bayless, a well-known sports analyst and critic of LeBron James, reacted to his tweet. He urged the superstar to accept his leadership role, saying, “LeBron: They’re paying you $50 million a yr. If they say they need you to fly to Milwaukee for a preseason game, you just have to suck it up & tough it out.” Bayless added, “Yeah, somebody’s doing a big-business favor for somebody else—you know how it works. But just be a leader & get thru it.”
This isn’t the first time LeBron has complained about the NBA’s requirements. In 2021, he criticized the league’s play-in tournament, stating that “whoever came up with that s**t needs to be fired,” even though he ended up playing in it. Given that LeBron is now 39, it makes sense that he might find traveling for a less important game tiring.
LeBron James Shines In Preseason Despite Challenging Schedule
New Lakers head coach JJ Redick also acknowledged that the preseason schedule isn’t ideal, showing some support for LeBron. After the game against the Bucks, the Lakers will play the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas, followed by another game against the Suns in Phoenix and another matchup against the Warriors in San Francisco.
LeBron, who sat out the Lakers’ first preseason game, showed a strong performance in his return against the Phoenix Suns. In just over 16 minutes of play, he scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-3 from three-point range. He also recorded five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, proving he still has a significant impact on the court.
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LeBron James’ leadership is crucial for the Lakers as they prepare for the season, especially with rookie Dalton Knecht expected to play significant minutes. His son Bronny may develop his skills in the G League under Magic Johnson’s guidance. With the season approaching, all eyes will be on the Lakers’ ability to adapt to challenges and LeBron’s role in his 22nd NBA year.
