Why Stephen A. Smith is not ‘concerned’ about LeBron James missing LA Lakers games with injury

Stephen A. Smith reacts to LeBron James injury news

Stephen A. Smith pointed out that LeBron James has taken care of his body as well as any athlete throughout his NBA career.

However, the reason Smith is unfazed by LeBron’s injury is that the regular season is not important for the LA Lakers.

The most important thing for JJ Redick’s team is that they are fully prepared to go further than the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

“I’m not that concerned,” Smith said. “I know it’s the first time he’s going to miss the season opener. I know it’s the first time he’s ever missed an entire preseason, and I get that. And when we talk about the sciatic nerve, just to educate the audience, you talk about nerves causing lower back, hip, and leg pain, of course.

“So, that’s something to be taken seriously. But this is arguably the most well-conditioned athlete, basketball player at the very least, we’ve ever seen. LeBron James has been that dude in terms of his physical conditioning, but I’m not really worried about it for a different reason.

“I don’t give a damn about LeBron James in the regular season. I’m talking about the postseason. The Los Angeles Lakers, in four of the last five years, have been bounced out in the first round or missed the playoffs. They went to the conference finals a few years ago when Darvin Ham was coaching them. That’s it.

“I don’t want to travel back to Oklahoma City. I love my man Shai Gilgesous-Alexander and the crew, but I don’t want to travel to Oklahoma City with you. I’d rather be in LA. That means that the Los Angeles Lakers need to win. And they’re not going to do that without LeBron James.

“So, I don’t give a d— if he missed November. I don’t care if he misses most of the games before Christmas. I mean, get in enough games to be ready come postseason time, so we don’t see their a—-getting bounced out in the first round like Minnesota just did, courtesy of Ant-Man.

“Even though I love Ant-Man, he’s one of my top two players to watch with Steph Curry, I don’t feel like traveling to Minnesota either. I want to be in LA. They need LeBron James for that to happen. So, if he has to sit out early to be available late, that’s my preference. I’m not worried about October and November. Who cares? We have football.”

Which LA Lakers games will LeBron James miss through injury

LeBron James will definitely not play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ three remaining preseason games against the Golden State Warriors, the Phoenix Suns, and the Dallas Mavericks. 

He will also sit out the Lakers’ first six regular-season games, including two against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

This would only take James’ absence to the three-week mark, so there is no guarantee that he will not miss even more games.

Luka Doncic will now have even more offensive responsibility, which could boost his Most Valuable Player Award chances.