LOS ANGELES — LeBron James faded baseline and floated a jumper through the basket on the first possession of Friday’s Lakers-Clippers meeting, the final stretch of the season finally able to begin with a cheer instead of those deafening grumblings since they played last week before the All-Star break.
What did James mean when he sent that tweet about Les Snead? Was he mad about the Lakers not making a trade at the NBA deadline? Is that why he was so quick to praise Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti? Was that a shot at Lakers GM Rob Pelinka?
And why did he open the door to go back to Cleveland? Or to leave Los Angeles for whatever team ends up with his son, Bronny?
With no basketball to be played, no losses to dissect or wins to offer irrational confidence, the void was there. And the Lakers’ drama — there was more than enough to fill that space.
Dismissed as “just noise” by a member of the team’s senior management, the situation was serious enough where James’ agent, Rich Paul, met with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and Pelinka, those with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.
The meeting, which was first reported by ESPN, was to reiterate James’ commitment to the Lakers, who have him under contract for this season and next and to clear up any perceived issues between the sides.
Buss, Pelinka and Paul were all at Friday’s game against the Clippers, witnessing the Lakers struggle, then comeback and then fall shot at the end, losing 105-102.
Marcus Morris made a late-game jumper to put the Clippers ahead, and after a Russell Westbrook miss, the Lakers lost a crucial call challenge that negated a LeBron James rebound and gave the ball back to the Clippers.
Carmelo Anthony had a chance to make a go-ahead basket before James, after Reggie Jackson made two free throws for a three-point lead, had an opportunity to tie, and both times, the Lakers missed.
For a team excited to give everyone something new to talk about, it ultimately was more of the same.
