LeBron James made a lot of sacrifices during the Los Angeles Lakers season, but one moment reportedly left the four-time star feeling neglected by the organization.
For the first time in his NBA career, James entered the season on an expiring contract.
He also missed Opening Night and the first 14 games of the season due to injury, another first for the Lakers superstar.
The frustration from James reached a boiling point after the regular season win that also marked a milestone in his career.
“The win was James’ 1,229th of his career and passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most wins of any player in NBA history (regular season and playoffs combined),” McMenamin wrote to ESPN. “I’m not talking anymore, it came the night when Luka Doncic passed 15,000 points and Rui Hachimura reached 5,000.
“However, James’ happy mood did not last long.
“The Lakers coach, J.J. Redick, announced all of his accomplishments in the locker room after the game, causing the LA players and assistant coaches to applaud loudly.
“Then Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball and general manager, spoke to the team. He had the ball in his hands.
“Instead of giving it to Hachimura or Doncic or James, Pelinka went to the front of the room and delivered the ball to Redick, who had just overseen his 100th victory.
“James has a “good” relationship with Redick, sources close to him say — one told ESPN that Redick’s hiring was “the one thing the Lakers got wrong.”
After the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs, James remained unsure of what was to come.
“About my future, I don’t know. It’s obvious we’re starting to lose. I don’t know what the future holds for me as it stands tonight,” said James. “I think I said last year after we lost in Minnesota, I have to go back and regroup with my family, talk to them, spend time with them, and when the time comes, you’ll know what I decide to do.”
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