The closing chapter of the 2023-24 NBA regular season is upon us, with teams having around five games remaining to solidify their standings. This period is pivotal for the Los Angeles Lakers, who find themselves in the thick of the Play-In Tournament battle alongside the New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings.
With the standings subject to daily fluctuations, the Phoenix Suns also loom as potential contenders for a spot, adding to the suspense of the final games.
The Lakers, despite the uncertainty, have shown formidable momentum, securing eight victories in their last 10 outings. This late-season surge signals the team’s escalating form as they approach playoff contention.
However, amidst this positive stride, FOX Sports commentator Skip Bayless casts a shadow of doubt over LeBron James‘ postseason readiness.
“He is brilliantly planting another excuse for the postseason just in case he flames out,” Bayless remarked on his podcast, alluding to James’ extensive minutes in the season’s twilight.
Bayless’ critique continues a long-standing pattern of skepticism towards James, often questioning the four-time MVP’s achievements and intentions.
This year, Bayless speculates that James might cite his substantial playing time as a pretext for any potential playoff shortcomings, reinforcing the narrative of scrutiny surrounding the Lakers’ star.
More must-reads: