LeBron James: Paul Pierce builds up pressure on Lakers star ahead of new season
LEBRON JAMES will have a free pass with the Los Angeles Lakers this season but Paul Pierce has warned about high expectations next year.
LeBron James teams up with Ben Simmons in pick-up game
James went to his eighth consecutive NBA Finals last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing 4-0 to the Golden State Warriors.
He now has a completely different challenge on his hands now with the Lakers, a side who haven’t reached the playoffs for the past five seasons.
James has never failed to get past the first round of the playoffs in his entire 15 years in the league.
Not many expect the Lakers to be challenging this year, with all their hopes pinned on landing a max contract star in free agency next summer.
But 2008 NBA champion Pierce insists James will be under pressure to deliver in his second season with the Lakers.
“He knows nothing but Finals in the last eight years so now to just go through some struggles, which is going to happen in L.A.” Pierce said on The Jump.
“The good news is he’s going to be in L.A. so there’s dark moments, he’s going to be outside in the winter in the sunshine so it’s going to be less depressing.
“LeBron is not getting any younger so how much time is he going to have to wait?
“We’ll give him a pass this year but when next year comes, something’s going to have to happen.”
Only six players remain from last season’s roster for the Lakers with a host of experienced players signing on to team up with James.
Most of them have been signed on one-year deals, meaning the Lakers could once again undergo a big changeover.
But for the upcoming season, the Lakers will be aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
And Pierce insists a second round berth will be deemed a successful season for the Lakers.
When asked what constitutes success for the Lakers, Pierce said: “If they make it to the second [round].
“He doesn’t even think they’re contenders. They’re so young, inexperienced so second round would be a great season for the Lakers.
“You know Golden State are going to be there, probably Houston but if they make it to the second round you can say that’s a successful season.
“The Lakers haven’t been to the playoffs in years now so if he can carry this team that far then that’s a successful season.”