LeBron James: Worrying Los Angeles Lakers prediction over team-mates
LEBRON JAMES will struggle with the Los Angeles Lakers this season, due to the below-par strength of his news team-mates.
That is the view of pundit Shannon Sharpe.
James begins his journey with the Lakers on Thursday night, as his side takes on the Portland Trail Blazers in their first NBA regular season game.
The superstar signed for the Lakers this summer when he entered free agency, having left the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He impressed during pre-season, in particular in the 123-113 win over reigning NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors.
Now, he begins his career with the Lakers, and Sharpe insists that he will find things difficult due to the young and inexperienced team around him.
“Young talented guys don’t necessarily win anything,” he said.
“These guys are going to have to come of age.
“Young, talented Steph (Curry) or Klay (Thompson) or Draymont (Green),they didn’t win until they were older.
“It probably took them five or six years into their careers until they started winning.
“Now we expect these guys to be winning?”
Sharpe then made a bold prediction about the four-time league MVP, and claimed his supporting cast in Cleveland was stronger than it is in Los Angeles.
“I get it, LeBron is worth anywhere between 13-20 games himself, because he’s special.
“But even the guys they (Lakers) signed to back him up, they’re rotation.
“Look at it from top to bottom, they’re more athletic than Cleveland, but better? How?
“All I’m saying is these guys are young.
“Brandon Ingram was the number two pick in the draft, Lonzo Ball was the number two pick in the draft.
“Yeah, these guys are talented, but they haven’t proven anything yet.”