USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson (95) plead their case to referee Josh Tiven (58) in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson (95) plead their case to referee Josh Tiven (58) in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Lakers’ superstar LeBron James is arguably one of the best players in the NBA. Given his immense popularity on and off the court, ‘King James’ is the face of the NBA for a decade now and is still going strong in his 18th year.
Despite being one of the early favorites to win the championship, LBJ and the Lakers captured the seventh seed by the skin of their teeth after a pretty hard-fought victory against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
USA Today via Reuters
May 15, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gets a high five from forward Anthony Davis (3) after a foul in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
With the seventh seed, they will face the Phoenix Suns, who’ve had one of their best seasons in recent memory. While the Suns might be inexperienced, they can be a problem for the champions. If the Lakers want to repeat, they have to put a better display than one they put on against the Dubs.
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Charles Barkley speaks about Lakers’ LeBron James flouting league’s medical protocols
James, who put up a massive 22 point triple double against the Warriors, saw some controversy prior to the play-in tournament. The 4-time MVP violated the league’s health and safety protocols as he attended an event for his tequila brand.
New story: The Lakers were notified by the NBA that LeBron James violated protocols by attending an event for his tequila brand earlier this week, a league spokesman told ESPN https://t.co/gBs8fZBfJo
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 22, 2021
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley spoke about the same in a recent interview. Speaking on ‘Dunk Bait’, Barkley was confident that the league won’t take any massive action against Bron.
“Ain’t no f***ing way LeBron James is going to be sit out because of health and safety protocols.”
Charles Barkley weighs in on the NBA and LeBron as only he can 🗣
Story, ICYMI ➡️ https://t.co/oV0JHNbfQB pic.twitter.com/pll38v6CnU
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 22, 2021
“If it was if it was a nobody, they would they would put him in health and the safety protocol. Ain’t no f**king way LeBron James is gonna be sent out on top of health and safety protocol. When I when I read that I just started laughing. LeBron James is playing Sunday, guarantee.”
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Barkley certainly was on point with his take, as NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the league won’t be suspending the King for flouting the protocols, He will be available for the game 1 of the playoff series against the Suns.
LeBron James won’t be suspended for protocols violation, sources tell ESPN. Nature of event didn’t rise to a threat level of virus spread, as described in @McTen‘s story below. Suns-Lakers Game 1 on Sunday. https://t.co/nEAcnBsbvv
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 22, 2021
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LeBron James is certainly the most important player of the league and certainly has a massive pull. Not suspending ‘the King’ will ensure a massive number of viewers for the playoffs and is thus beneficial for the league.
Do you think the league should have suspended LBJ, or did they take the right step not taking any action? Let us know in the comments section down below.
