LeBron's body language is killing the Lakers

[druggas]

Just look at him this game. His body language is awful. He's huffing and puffing and looking like a guy whose team is getting beaten down. Body language is contagious, and he needs to be better about it. He needs to smile and joke around with his teammates, even if he doesn't want to. That's the job of a leader. Sorry, but his body language is simply killing the team right now.

this is exactly what he looks like when he's done. His last year in CLE, his last year with MIA, and now this. He's essentially broadcasting to the world that he's not at fault, he's not part of the problem and he needs more help. It's the story of his career. I wonder what the next Super team he forms will look like

The correct answer.

[Dirk]

Peak Laker ball right here.

Credit Kyro for pointing out where you can see Lebron's soul leaving his body (Sorry Kyro, had to include Lebron throwing the ball to the backboard).

[Ben-N1ce]

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[KembaWalker]

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This is somebody’s goat?

[DorianRo]

Can’t believe anyone would even put him on the same planet as MJ. It’s a disgrace really. Lebron is GUTLESS. Bottom line. Top 10 he is granted that’s it

[xchange55]

Lebron doesn't have that killer instinct and competitive fire that the true greats of the game had. I think there was over 4 and a half minutes left in Game 3, the Lakers were down around 10, it was at a timeout or TV break and the camera panned to James standing there, staring into oblivion. He looked beat, uninterested, demoralized, clueless and hopeless. The game is still within reach, but he had already quit.

Shaq has said multiple times on public TV that nobody fears Lebron like they feared going up against MJ. This is exactly what he means. You play a Bird, Magic, Kobe, DWade, Dirk, Steph, KG - these guys left every ounce on the floor win or lose. They aren't pouting before the game is over. If you beat them congrats and props to you. LBJ doesn't have that factor - that's why he feels the need to team up with the players that do have it.

You can make all the excuses you want about his age. But he has been this way his entire career - I don't think it's a character trait you can just change overnight. In terms of the LAL winning or losing, well if LBJ at 39 is not the best player to be on the floor for the team because he is gassed, sit him down. If he's out on the floor playing well this the big leagues, there are no excuses. It's the NBA playoffs, you're competing against the best of the best. If you aren't standing tall here, there's no free pass here. Jokic and Gordon are abusing James in the post. Go back and watch Game 1-3 or heck any games in the past 4-5 years. James just stands in the paint and looks around. He barely contests. The thing he does the most is throw his hands up - like it's always somebody else's fault.

Funny to see all the blame being passed to DLO and Rui. DLO is a career journeyman. He's been on what 5 or 6 teams in 10 years? Nobody wants him - his game obviously has flaws. Rui wasn't wanted after his rookie contract by the team that drafted him - that says a lot. The LBJ stans will just say he had the stats - so it's not his fault. It's all empty stats. You watch Joker play, you don't even need to look at the stat sheet to know he's dominating. His impact is felt everywhere. You look at the stat sheet, wow LBJ filled it up. You watch the game - what did he actually do? He's active maybe 10-15% of the time, just standing still the rest of it. When I watch LAL, it's all AD doing the heavy lifting.

[Plutonashfan]

Just look at him this game. His body language is awful. He's huffing and puffing and looking like a guy whose team is getting beaten down. Body language is contagious, and he needs to be better about it. He needs to smile and joke around with his teammates, even if he doesn't want to. That's the job of a leader. Sorry, but his body language is simply killing the team right now.

this is exactly what he looks like when he's done. His last year in CLE, his last year with MIA, and now this. He's essentially broadcasting to the world that he's not at fault, he's not part of the problem and he needs more help. It's the story of his career. I wonder what the next Super team he forms will look like

Was about to say the same thing. As a Cavs fan I seen this act before.

[KrAzY3]

Can’t believe anyone would even put him on the same planet as MJ. It’s a disgrace really. Lebron is GUTLESS. Bottom line. Top 10 he is granted that’s it

I do get the case for LeBron at #2, I understand there's kind of a logjam and you can make a case for honestly a dozen different players who had careers of varying lengths and peaks of varying lengths and so on. Either way I think it's hard to be objective and keep LeBron out of the top 5.

However, I don't see how anyone could watch Jordan and LeBron in their prime, just watch how they compete and not be able to tell the difference. LeBron is a beast, he's an amazing passer, an amazing athlete, in terms of sheer physical ability he's one of the top all times with the likes of Shaq and Wilt, but mentally he isn't in the same league as a Jordan, Kobe, and he's not even in the same league as a Duncan who while lacking the fire Jordan and Kobe had, was also immune to negative behavior we occasionally see from LeBron. It's not coincidence all those guys have more rings, I never saw any of them exhibit the sort of body language or behavior we're discussing now.

Unfortunately we're in an era where whining and complaining and creating adversity for ourselves instead of responding to it is the norm. Durant is an amazing basketball player, could have been on track to be in GOAT discussion himself, but he's soft and always looking for some sort of an advantage or improvement in scenery. This guy was a two times Finals MVP, and he ended up on a fourth team in 8 years (LeBron did 3 teams in six years). Ultimately where does that take us? Both are headed towards first round exits.

I feel sorry for the generation of fans that thinks that's the only way for basketball players to behave... they really missed out.

[DorianRo]

I think a lot of it is Lebron has been handed everything and has been handed gifts since grade school. He has never really had to work at anything or pay his dues. He was gifted genetics, gifted super teams and front offices that bent over backwards for him. That’s a big reason for his weak mentality. Never had to go college to pay his dues. No killer instinct whatsoever with the guy. Oh well. It happens with ALOT of guys. He had a great career but all things considered he should have done a lot more with all the gifts he was granted from genetics to players to supporting help. 4 titles for everhthing he has been handed? Not nearly good good enough

[FreeBird23]

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This guy doesnt care about winning anymore.
At this point of his career, he is just stat padding to get some records.

[docholliday99]

Body language is one part but you can clearly see why LeBron is "just" a All-Star in this league and not a mvp-caliber player: when Lakers fail to score James can`t get into another gear and he gets very passive and just tries a lot of threes without getting to the rim. This happens several times already during these three games.

First half versus second half, Lebron tuckers out, can't get into that gear to take over and definitely can't keep his man in front of him anymore; and well, watching the Laker's defensive output from their guards has to be tough on him. Lebron's body language is probably more about the realization he's not that guy anymore and he's not going to get those rings to catch Jordan.

For the record, I've been most impressed with AG this series, especially last game; so much movement he creates on the floor. Denver is a really fun team to watch as they toy with their food.

[dan-man]

Just look at him this game. His body language is awful. He's huffing and puffing and looking like a guy whose team is getting beaten down. Body language is contagious, and he needs to be better about it. He needs to smile and joke around with his teammates, even if he doesn't want to. That's the job of a leader. Sorry, but his body language is simply killing the team right now.

His body language would have been just fine if D Low could throw the ball in the ocean.

[Jabroni Lames]

Just look at him this game. His body language is awful. He's huffing and puffing and looking like a guy whose team is getting beaten down. Body language is contagious, and he needs to be better about it. He needs to smile and joke around with his teammates, even if he doesn't want to. That's the job of a leader. Sorry, but his body language is simply killing the team right now.

Have you ever owned a business?

There isn't one management style that works in business. Sadly, the tyrant personality is quite often very successful. Elon Musk and Donald Trump are pretty good examples. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were not universally well liked by their employees. And I think we've all experienced this personally.

[EmpireFalls]

Honestly it’s just an age and stamina thing to me. 2020 version of LeBron probably still can win the series (or at least take it 7) but he’s just too old and you can tell can’t play at a playoff intensity for long enough. Doesn’t help that outside of him and AD they’re getting basically nothing

What you’re seeing is mostly fatigue

[PistolPeteJR]

Just look at him this game. His body language is awful. He's huffing and puffing and looking like a guy whose team is getting beaten down. Body language is contagious, and he needs to be better about it. He needs to smile and joke around with his teammates, even if he doesn't want to. That's the job of a leader. Sorry, but his body language is simply killing the team right now.

Have you ever owned a business?

There isn't one management style that works in business. Sadly, the tyrant personality is quite often very successful. Elon Musk and Donald Trump are pretty good examples. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were not universally well liked by their employees. And I think we've all experienced this personally.

Two extremes, sir. The management style that does work is the one that is both proactive at healthy culture setting while being responsive, not reactive, in the face of circumstances.

Basically, set the tone for healthiness and development. Does that mean you smile all the time? No. That's not realistic. That tells your employees, "Life is perfect and nothing ever goes wrong". Does it mean sulk all the time? Also a no, that says, "You never have a reason to be content."

[BlazersBroncos]

He has always had trash body language whenever the going gets tough.

[Jcity08]

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Lebrons post game interviews are a delight as per usual

[dWadeOwnzYou]

Funny how everyone is talking like he's in his peak. He is way past that and any success he's received from now on is just the cherry on top. His legacy has already been cemented people. I'm freakin damn tired of people using his declining years to argue against MJ. Just stop.

[Marrrcuss]

Peak Laker ball right here.

Credit Kyro for pointing out where you can see Lebron's soul leaving his body (Sorry Kyro, had to include Lebron throwing the ball to the backboard).

Nah, yall trying too hard....and i dont even know what the point is SUPPOSED to be. They had a bad sequence. Whats the point here?

[zero rings]

Lebron has always been a front runner, even going back to his early Cleveland days. It's just who he is.

Front runner means someone that is likely to win a race..

What's that got to do with bad body language?

He pouts whenever he thinks his team doesn’t have the advantage. Then come the passive aggressive tweets, and finally he bails on them for greener pastures.

Lebron is probably the GOAT basketball talent, but he’s never been much of a leader.