LeBron James Criticizes Play-In Format As Lakers Continue To Struggle

[RealGM Wiretap]

LeBron James criticized the NBA's decision to create a play-in tournament involving the seventh through tenth seeds in each conference as the Los Angeles Lakers continue their late season slide.

The Lakers lost 121-114 to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, their sixth loss in seven games. The Lakers are currently in sixth in the Western Conference ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. 

"Whoever came up with that s--- needs to be fired," James said.

The Lakers began the season 21-6 but have played without Anthony Davis and James for large stretches of the season due to injury. 

"It doesn't matter at the end of the day if I'm not 100% or close to 100%," he said. "It don't matter where we land."

Via Dave McMenamin/ESPN

[MINDKCUF]

time to suspend lebron for conduct detrimental to nba.
even worse lebron says it doesnt matter what seed they are it only matters if is is healthy or not. what a team leader.

[Theo Ratliff]

LeBron showing his true colors as always. He can put up all of the stats that he wants but he will always have the mindset of a loser.

[dougthonus]

Reminds me of Cuban ripping it when his team was in 7th. Maybe he always felt that way, but you sure sound like a loser when you rip on it in that situation.

[njknicks]

Lebron's 5 year goals in descending order :

1) 5th ring
2) Space Jam 2 success ( to launch other media ventures)
3) Become all time points leader in NBA history
4) Retire after his son enters the league ( @ 39 )
5) Billionaire status
6) Own next NBA expansion team

[hype_2004]

Plot twist it's David Stern who is not working anymore and knows where the bodies are buried,lol!

[DimesandKnicks]

LeBron showing his true colors as always. He can put up all of the stats that he wants but he will always have the mindset of a loser.

Sure does win a whole lot for "always having the mindset of a loser". Pretty **** rich too, doing it all since he was 18

You guys kill me.

[the_process]

Earlier when it looked like Dallas was gonna fall to the play-in, they were ripping it too LOL

Teams that think they’re too good for a play-in are ready to flip out about it.

[tidho]

LeBron showing his true colors as always. He can put up all of the stats that he wants but he will always have the mindset of a loser.

Sure does win a whole lot for "always having the mindset of a loser". Pretty **** rich too, doing it all since he was 18

You guys kill me.

He's a extraordinarily talented. Both can be true. In this case saying mindset of a loser probably takes things too far though.

[Theo Ratliff]

LeBron showing his true colors as always. He can put up all of the stats that he wants but he will always have the mindset of a loser.

Sure does win a whole lot for "always having the mindset of a loser". Pretty **** rich too, doing it all since he was 18

You guys kill me.

6 finals losses and most of those came while playing on a super team lol.

[Hans1984]

Laughable.

[Bentley1225]

Lebron's 5 year goals in descending order :

1) 5th ring
2) Space Jam 2 success ( to launch other media ventures)
3) Become all time points leader in NBA history
4) Retire after his son enters the league ( @ 39 )
5) Billionaire status
6) Own next NBA expansion team

1) Should read 6 rings. A Laker three-peat I think is best way for him to solidify GOAT status over MJ.

[HardenGoat]

If they slip to 9th seed I wonder what his take would be then?

[trueballer7]

Threaten to suspend him for this year and the next and see how fast he backtracks, like the airheaded frontrunner he is.

[Barcs]

I'm just wondering if the 7-10 spots count as making the playoffs or not as per Vegas. There are teams I bet to make the playoffs, but if they end the year at the #8 and lose the playin, does the bet pay?

[oaktownwarriors87]

I think they should keep it long term.

There are 8 games or so left and we still have 24 teams battling for meaningful playoff position. This makes every game more important and it gives fans a much better product.

I've always been hesitant to buy tickets to late season games because I don't know if teams are going to be sitting players or not. This format pretty much erases that concern.

The Lakers are going to have to play every single game instead of coasting to the end. That's a good thing. The Wizards are another great example. How easy would it have been for management to put up a white flag and tank the rest of the season? That 10th seed gave them hope and now they're one of the funnest teams to watch in the NBA.

More competitive games and more teams with hopes to make the playoffs. I don't see how you couldn't like that from an entertainment perspective.

[oaktownwarriors87]

I'm just wondering if the 7-10 spots count as making the playoffs or not as per Vegas. There are teams I bet to make the playoffs, but if they end the year at the #8 and lose the playin, does the bet pay?

Teams that lose the play-in go to the lottery, and they don't enter the playoffs.

[LogicalGM23]

I love how 6 finals losses are the biggest weakness to his resume in terms of winning [losing] where you look at the likes of an entire franchise Minnesota, Sacramento, Charlotte-take your pick. Sweep or not, this guys is 4 games or less from another ring. Like if you don't win a championship you are either a lucky franchise or you have LeBron James on your team. Literally finishes 2nd a lot out of 30 other teams and is labeled a loser smh. Mind you Jordan all day-- folks who sit in nosebleeds or watch 4 games a year from home have 0 opinion on the matter lol. I'm with you on this DimesandKnicks

LeBron showing his true colors as always. He can put up all of the stats that he wants but he will always have the mindset of a loser.

Sure does win a whole lot for "always having the mindset of a loser". Pretty **** rich too, doing it all since he was 18

You guys kill me.

6 finals losses and most of those came while playing on a super team lol.

[DimesandKnicks]

I love how 6 finals losses are the biggest weakness to his resume in terms of winning [losing] where you look at the likes of an entire franchise Minnesota, Sacramento, Charlotte-take your pick. Sweep or not, this guys is 4 games or less from another ring. Like if you don't win a championship you are either a lucky franchise or you have LeBron James on your team. Literally finishes 2nd a lot out of 30 other teams and is labeled a loser smh. Mind you Jordan all day-- folks who sit in nosebleeds or watch 4 games a year from home have 0 opinion on the matter lol. I'm with you on this DimesandKnicks

Sure does win a whole lot for "always having the mindset of a loser". Pretty **** rich too, doing it all since he was 18

You guys kill me.

6 finals losses and most of those came while playing on a super team lol.

Lost to the spurs DYNASTY
Lost the the warriors superteam twice and would have beat them pre-super team had his "super team" (Kevin Love isn't a part of anyone's super team)...all while actually...playing in the Finals, which again, would indicate being a winner. I'm actually pretty sure he's won more playoff games than anyone....but loser mentality

How can you be great....and a loser

[Galloisdaman]

Lebron's 5 year goals in descending order :

1) 5th ring
2) Space Jam 2 success ( to launch other media ventures)
3) Become all time points leader in NBA history
4) Retire after his son enters the league ( @ 39 )
5) Billionaire status
6) Own next NBA expansion team

1) Should read 6 rings. A Laker three-peat I think is best way for him to solidify GOAT status over MJ.

Goat status as better than MJ? He has a better chance of shooting 80% from the FT line.