Would it be better for Lebron's legacy to be eliminated in the play-in tournament?

[ballzboyee]

I think the Lakers will probably end up with 8 seed. Let's face it... chances of the Lakers getting past either Minnesota or Denver are pretty slim. Not saying it cannot happen, but being realistic probably not going to happen. In fact, there is potential for a sweep against both. Lebron getting swept in the first round would be terrible optics for his legacy. Lebron is probably going to opt out of his contract to seek a no trade deal to pad his stats in LA. A sweep will reduce his contract leverage, and Lebron wants to play as long as possible it seems. The longer he plays the more cumulative stats, etc. I have basically come to the conclusion that Lebron's career is being managed at this stage to build up legacy points and this has become more important that any single one franchise -- including the Lakers. We are witness history in the making as Lebron goes for 45,000 points. A sweep or even a 1-4 loss would too greatly undermine Lebron's image and resumé. Even a first round exit would be used against him by his unfair detractors.

On the other hand, a play-in exit can be chalked up to just bad luck or one bad game. The eliminated play-in teams are quickly forgotten since nobody watches anyway. Nobody will care if Lebron gets eliminated in the play-in.

[Cavsfansince84]

If someone really feels the need to bring up a 1st rd loss at age 39 as an 8 seed chances are they are a lost cause when it comes to rationally discussing his career. I mean people were saying the stuff last year and then they marched to the wcf. Are the same people who would hold a 1st rd loss now against him going to give him any credit whatsoever for last year's run while injured? I highly doubt it. This is just silly now.

[phanman]

1) A play-in loss would be worse than a 1st round sweep
2) People care about LeBron, period. Regular season, in-season tournament, trade deadline, play-in or playoff it doesn't matter. People care
3) Lakers have a fairly good chance of upsetting Minnesota. There is no scenario where I see them getting swept unless Bron or AD get injured

At 39yo, there is nothing LeBron can do to negatively impact his legacy. Even getting swept last season vs Denver has been positively remembered as the most competitive sweep in NBA history

[KembaWalker]

LeBrons legacy is already set, we’re in the Jokic era now

[DonaldSanders]

No, his legacy is set, a 39 yr old is just free rolling.

[KamikazeK]

More success is better than less success. Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.

[NbaAllDay]

If you are taking the opinion of ignorant haters then sure.

For anyone with more than 2 brain cells, the deeper the better.

Thinking anything a player does at 39 as the 8th seed is legacy defining is stupid.

[Dr Aki]

Are these the same people that say Jordan was 6 from 6, instead of 6 from 15 (13 if we discount the WAS years)?

[ballzboyee]

1) A play-in loss would be worse than a 1st round sweep
2) People care about LeBron, period. Regular season, in-season tournament, trade deadline, play-in or playoff it doesn't matter. People care
3) Lakers have a fairly good chance of upsetting Minnesota. There is no scenario where I see them getting swept unless Bron or AD get injured

At 39yo, there is nothing LeBron can do to negatively impact his legacy. Even getting swept last season vs Denver has been positively remembered as the most competitive sweep in NBA history

Minnesota is a terrible matchup for the Lakers. If I were the Lakers, I would rather face Denver, honestly. I could easily see 4-0 or 4-1 series against Minny. In terms of Denver, it all depends on how hungry they are. Denver swept them Lakers last year. Denver swept the Lakers this year in the regular season, so Lakers of 0 of their last 7 against the Nuggets. Not saying a sweep will happen. It's hard to get a sweep, but I mean if you are just projecting off recent past performance, it's definitely on the table.

[og15]

More success is better than less success. Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.

You would be surprised how sports fans can manipulate these things based on what conclusions or agenda is presently being espoused.

[Edrees]

The more points and stats you accumulate in the playoffs the better your legacy. makes it much harder for any players to break those

[phanman]

1) A play-in loss would be worse than a 1st round sweep
2) People care about LeBron, period. Regular season, in-season tournament, trade deadline, play-in or playoff it doesn't matter. People care
3) Lakers have a fairly good chance of upsetting Minnesota. There is no scenario where I see them getting swept unless Bron or AD get injured

At 39yo, there is nothing LeBron can do to negatively impact his legacy. Even getting swept last season vs Denver has been positively remembered as the most competitive sweep in NBA history

Minnesota is a terrible matchup for the Lakers. If I were the Lakers, I would rather face Denver, honestly. I could easily see 4-0 or 4-1 series against Minny. In terms of Denver, it all depends on how hungry they are. Denver swept them Lakers last year. Denver swept the Lakers this year in the regular season, so Lakers of 0 of their last 7 against the Nuggets.

So you'd rather they face Denver who they are winless against over this inexperienced Minnesota team? Did you mean to say that Minnesota would 4-0 or 4-1 the Lakers and not the other way around?

The playoffs are a different story the wealth of experience the Lakers have will go a long way in a series against Minnesota where their best player is only 22yo. Given KAT's injury concerns, it makes that team all the susceptible for an upset.

[ballzboyee]

1) A play-in loss would be worse than a 1st round sweep
2) People care about LeBron, period. Regular season, in-season tournament, trade deadline, play-in or playoff it doesn't matter. People care
3) Lakers have a fairly good chance of upsetting Minnesota. There is no scenario where I see them getting swept unless Bron or AD get injured

At 39yo, there is nothing LeBron can do to negatively impact his legacy. Even getting swept last season vs Denver has been positively remembered as the most competitive sweep in NBA history

Minnesota is a terrible matchup for the Lakers. If I were the Lakers, I would rather face Denver, honestly. I could easily see 4-0 or 4-1 series against Minny. In terms of Denver, it all depends on how hungry they are. Denver swept them Lakers last year. Denver swept the Lakers this year in the regular season, so Lakers of 0 of their last 7 against the Nuggets.

So you'd rather they face Denver who they are winless against over this inexperienced Minnesota team? Did you mean to say that Minnesota would 4-0 or 4-1 the Lakers and not the other way around?

The playoffs are a different story the wealth of experience the Lakers have will go a long way in a series against Minnesota where their best player is only 22yo. Given KAT's injury concerns, it makes that team all the susceptible for an upset.

It's pretty obvious what I meant from the context of the sentence. I didn't say the Lakers would win games, but that the series would be 4-0 or 4-1 in favor of Minnesota. Of course, the Lakers have the potential to make it a series. Not saying they don't, but I lean toward a lopsided outcome. Towns is already scrimmaging with the team, but your point is well taken. Whatever experience advantage the Lakers might have is completely offset by the fact they are .500 team in the West and Minnesota went 37-13 against the same opponents. Minny is just a much better team on paper. Twolves have a better SRS at 6.93 than the Nuggets and a better net rating. Minnesota does a lot of the same things that Lakers do, but only they are much better at them. Minnesota is the best defensive team in the league, and at home they are allowing just 102ppg which is insane in this era. Plus, the team is young and hungry, and the city/franchise are hyped and hungry for the playoffs. In the first round going into Minnesota and trying to win is going to be a tough road.

[JustBuzzin]

LeBrons legacy is already set, we’re in the Jokic era now

This!

I have no idea why people keep thinking Lebron's legacy is in jeopardy. He's at worst the 2nd best player to ever play the game of basketball.

It's time we move on to the current generation of players.

[phanman]

Minnesota is a terrible matchup for the Lakers. If I were the Lakers, I would rather face Denver, honestly. I could easily see 4-0 or 4-1 series against Minny. In terms of Denver, it all depends on how hungry they are. Denver swept them Lakers last year. Denver swept the Lakers this year in the regular season, so Lakers of 0 of their last 7 against the Nuggets.

So you'd rather they face Denver who they are winless against over this inexperienced Minnesota team? Did you mean to say that Minnesota would 4-0 or 4-1 the Lakers and not the other way around?

The playoffs are a different story the wealth of experience the Lakers have will go a long way in a series against Minnesota where their best player is only 22yo. Given KAT's injury concerns, it makes that team all the susceptible for an upset.

It's pretty obvious what I meant from the context of the sentence. I didn't say the Lakers would win games, but that the series would be 4-0 or 4-1 in favor of Minnesota. Of course, the Lakers have the potential to make it a series. Not saying they don't, but I lean toward a lopsided outcome. Towns is already scrimmaging with the team, but your point is well taken. Whatever experience advantage the Lakers might have is completely offset by the fact they are .500 team in the West and Minnesota went 37-13 against the same opponents. Minny is just a much better team on paper. Twolves have a better SRS at 6.93 than the Nuggets and a better net rating. Minnesota does a lot of the same things that Lakers do, but only they are much better at them. Minnesota is the best defensive team in the league, and at home they are allowing just 102ppg which is insane in this era. Plus, the team is young and hungry, and the city/franchise are hyped and hungry for the playoffs. In the first round going into Minnesota and trying to win is going to be a tough road.

These are all valid points, but your entire argument falls on deaf ears if you truly think ANY team in the league would rather face Denver than Minnesota. It's not to say that the Timberwolves aren't good or having an amazing season, but theres levels to this and Denver is the defending champ for a reason.

Also, LeBron missed 2 of those losses against the T'Wolves.

[BigGargamel]

Lebron's legacy is cemented. Nobody is going to talk about his Lakers stint in 20 years, other than the fact that he played for the most storied franchise in basketball. The only thing left to be written is playing with his son. Unless the Lakers somehow win one more championship. Losing in the playoffs in 2024 will be a footnote.

[dygaction]

Yes, just like it helped MJ to have 6:6 instead of 6:7

[Lalouie]

lebron's legacy is player empowerment and endurance

nothing else