- Russell Westbrook says he’s going to keep his head down and ‘focus on competing’ amid trade rumors
- Kevin Garnett urges Anthony Davis to ‘literally take the keys’ from LeBron James and put the Lakers on his back
- LeBron James makes it crystal clear he has ‘no relationship’ with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Russell Westbrook makes drastic change via social media as Lakers trade rumors continue to swirl
- Lakers list 4 players on injury report ahead of Monday’s matchup vs. Kings
- Report: Russell Westbrook tweaked his shooting form, which has resulted in catch-and-shoot 3-point percentage improving
- Report: Kyrie Irving isn’t part of the Lakers’ long-term plans
- Metta Sandiford-Artest declares that LeBron James is ‘officially’ the greatest player to ever play
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says Kyrie Irving would be dismissed as a ‘comical buffoon’ if it weren’t for his influence over young people
- LeBron James says his sons Bronny and Bryce attended some meetings to help design their father’s new Nike shoe
Stephen A. Smith Believes LeBron James Will Be Under Most Pressure This Season
- Updated: October 22, 2019
Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the few teams in the NBA this season that have a championship-or-bust mentality. They had that same mentality last season, but ultimately failed to even advance to the playoffs.
That fact has left LeBron James at the top of Stephen A. Smith’s list of players that have the most pressure on them to succeed in the 2019-20 season.
Smith broke down his list on a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Take.”
“You’re supposed to be the king, but the crown belongs to Kawhi Leonard,” Smith began after he listed James at the top of his list. “Oh by the way, not just Kawhi Leonard, but before that Steph Curry. You haven’t been a champion in the last several years. The king doesn’t have a crown. Now you got Anthony Davis, you gotta get it.”
Smith’s poetic plea aside, he does have some very good points. For the first time in years, very real arguments regarding whether or not James should still be considered the best player in the NBA began to pop up last season.
With players like Leonard, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo making serious arguments to be considered the greatest playing right now, James has to show that he still deserves that title if he wants to be able to claim it.
Considering the failure of last season and expectations this season, there is little doubt that the four-time MVP will have to prove that he is still able to live up to the incredible pressure he has faced for much of his storied NBA career.
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