Lakers news: LeBron James expectation laid out by NBA insider after rebuilding claim
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS will be expected to reach the playoffs this year because of LeBron James.
LeBron James: Joining the Lakers is a dream come true
That’s the belief of in-the-know NBA reporter Ramona Shelburne.
James gave his first interview since swapping the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Lakers this week.
Despite the Lakers not recruiting another All-Star such as Paul George or Kawhi Leonard, James quashed suggestions that the Lakers are facing a rebuilding year.
The Lakers faced some criticism for not showing immediate championship ambition by sacrificing their younger talents like Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram to bring in another big name alongside James, as they could have done in Leonard.
Yet despite the strength of the Western Conference and the reigning champions Golden State Warriors in particular, James is confident in the Lakers’ ability even with such a young and inexperienced roster.
And detailing exactly what should be expected of L.A. this year, ESPN’s Shelburne told SportsNation that the four-time MVP - who has reached the last eight straight NBA Finals - should hope to get the illustrious franchise back into the post season for the first time since 2012-13.
Asked if she believed James’ words about it not being a rebuilding year, Shelburne said: “Yeah.
“I kind of believe everything LeBron says when he talks about basketball because for the last four years, we’ve been thinking the Cavs wouldn’t make the playoffs or they were going to have issues and he always delivers.
“When he comes here he knows one thing, he can’t be a flop.
I think it’s a year where they need to finish in the playoffs, win a playoff series.
“Whether this works out or not this year I don’t think they’re going quietly. I don’t think they’re just going to fade and not make the playoffs.
“I don’t know if they can win a championship this year. I think it’s a year where they need to finish in the playoffs, win a playoff series.
“I don’t think the expectation is there for them to go all the way and dethrone the Warriors this year.
“But for the Lakers and how they’ve been the last five years, there’s a big expectation he’s going to lead them back into the playoffs and into contention.”