LeBron James hasn’t always given Luke Walton the support the coach could have used throughout the Los Angeles Lakers’ trying season, but he decided to offer some empathy on the night the team got eliminated from the playoffs.
The Lakers lost at home 111-106 to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night and were knocked out by D’Angelo Russell, the player they traded away. After the game, which saw LeBron’s 13-season streak of making the playoffs come to an end, James recognized just how tough it’s been on Walton and the coaching staff.
"So it’s been challenging for all of us, definitely the coaching staff, just not being able to have our full group every single night."
*This is probably one of the most empathetic quotes LeBron has made all year toward Luke and his coaches.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) March 23, 2019
Rajon Rondo, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, LeBron and Lonzo Ball have missed significant action due to suspensions and/or injuries. The team has traded away players like Ivica Zubac and acquired Reggie Bullock, Mike Muscala and Tyson Chandler. There’s been a lot of turnover and inconsistency, and that’s a big reason why the season hasn’t gone to plan.
Once 20-14 after a Christmas victory over the Warriors, the Lakers were unable to stay afloat while James missed time due to a groin injury. Then they just totally collapsed in March and have gone 1-10 in the month, slipping to 31-41. They’re playing for a draft lottery spot at this point.
What does Walton have to show for it all? He’s probably going to be fired after the season.
