Nikola Jokic's brother celebrates Denver's NBA Finals qualification with Michael Malone (from Twitter)
Is LeBron James really considering retirement, or are the comments after Monday night's elimination from the playoffs a calculated move designed to put pressure on Lakers decision-makers? In the United States, it is often believed that the second option is the more likely. While James said he "needs to think a lot about the rest of his career" and later journalist Chris Haynes, who is considered a close associate, posted that he was considering retiring from basketball immediately, commentators are unfazed by the statements and reports, insisting they shouldn't be taken seriously right now.
"I have no idea what he was trying to say, I know he's signed a very big contract for next season. Maybe he's a little exhausted. I'm not sure at that press conference he was particularly calm, or particularly clear," said Brian Windhorst, an ESPN reporter who is also considered close to James. "He wants to own a team after retirement and I guess that's what will happen, but will it happen now? LeBron always thinks one step ahead, so I wonder if his statements are simply because he was emotionally overwhelmed at the moment. Maybe he's plotting something, and wants us to keep talking about him for days, even after the finals begin. He's done this before, and he's known to use this tactic more than once."
Can't do without it. LeBron (Photo by Getty Images, Harry How)
In the United States, there have been other instances where LeBron "managed to change the narrative" after a painful elimination or stinging loss, including after the Finals series loss to Golden State in 2018. At the time, James arrived at the press conference after the final game of the series with a bandage on his hand, revealing that he had played most of the series with a fracture — an "exposé" that has become the main topic of conversation in the United States, although many questioned its reliability.
Charles Barkley has previously referred to LeBron as a "drama queen" and claimed that NBA players don't like James' behavior in some cases, where he creates headlines designed to protect his name and make him the topic of conversation. Stephen A. Smith has also said in the past that LeBron "seems to be addicted to attention" and "knows how to control the narrative around him."
ESPN commentator Tim Legler explained that "it was the worst time in the world to ask LeBron a question about his future, right after he lost like that." "This is a player who cares only about competing on the big stage and winning championships. At that moment he was very frustrated, very disappointed, he knows he will have to watch the final from home, watch other players fight for the championship, see more stars win the ring. In my opinion, there really is no question mark about the rest of LeBron's career. He'll play for the Lakers next season, but now he feels defeated, humiliated and exhausted. Let him speak for a few more weeks after things settle down a bit, and he'll sound different."
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