LeBron JamesĀ has apparently heard the negative chatter aboutĀ theĀ Los Angeles Lakersā roster heading into the 2021-22 campaign, and he has a simple message: āKeep that same narrative ENERGY when [the season] begins!āĀ
āKeep talking about my squad, our [personal] ages, the way he plays, he stays injured, weāre past our time in this league etc etc etc,ā James wrote in a since-deleted tweet. āDo me one favor PLEASE!!!! And I mean PLEASE!!! Keep that same narrative ENERGY when it begins! Thatās all I ask. #ThankYouāĀ
The Lakersā roster upheaval started late last month when the team acquired Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster deal withĀ the Washington Wizards forĀ Kyle Kuzma,Ā Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, andĀ theĀ 22nd overall pick in this yearās draft.Ā Despite averaging a triple-double in three of last four seasons, Westbrook has been criticized by some for a style of play that doesnāt contributeĀ to winning basketball.Ā
According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Westbrook spoke with LeBron and Anthony Davis weeks before the trade was done, and stressed his willingness to play off the ball when James was the facilitator. The trio also talked about putting aside their egos, and doing what needed to be done in order to bring another championship to L.A.Ā
When Davis was forced to sit out a number of games in the first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns this year, Charles Barkley joked about ADās struggles to stay healthy by referring to the eight-time All-Star as āStreet Clothes.āĀ
The Lakers filled out their roster in the offseason by signing Carmelo Anthony, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington, and Dwight Howard, all of whom are 32 years old or older. Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn, who are 23 and 26 years old, respectively,Ā also inked deals.Ā
LeBron will turn 37 in December.Ā