“Come back from Germany,” Skip Bayless shines ‘bat signal’ for LeBron James return to Lakers
Skip Bayless called for LeBron James to return to the Lakers after another disappointing loss to the Timberwolves.
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Skip Bayless calls for LeBron James' return after Lakers lose to Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers’ 87–97 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves highlighted the team’s reliance on LeBron James. In his absence for a second straight game, the Lakers struggled offensively against a Minnesota defense that forced them into a grind-it-out battle. The lackluster performance led Skip Bayless, often James’ harshest critic, to make a surprising plea on social media.
Bayless, one of LeBron James’ biggest detractors and critics, took to X to express his concern about the Lakers’ recent struggle, especially in the absence of their franchise cornerstone. In his post, he urged James to make a return to the lineup, hinting at his secret ‘medical treatment.’
Come back soon, LeBron … from Germany or wherever you’ve gone during your “personal time” off. Lakers lose at Minnesota, need a refortified you.
Skip Bayless wrote on X
Come back soon, LeBron … from Germany or wherever you’ve gone during your “personal time” off. Lakers lose at Minnesota, need a refortified you.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 14, 2024
Skip Bayless’ mention of Germany refers to a long-standing joke about elite athletes, including James, allegedly undergoing advanced medical treatments in Europe to extend their peak performance – think of Christian McCaffrey. While the validity of such claims remains speculative, if not objectively sarcastic, Bayless’ sentiment about the Lakers’ dependence on James is hard to dispute.
In Friday’s game, the team failed to generate meaningful offensive momentum, with Anthony Davis’ 23 points falling well below his MVP expectations. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, Minnesota’s top scorers, were held to a modest 43 points combined, but the Lakers couldn’t convert those defensive stops into offense, ending the game with a meager 87 points.
How long will the Los Angeles Lakers be without LeBron James?
LeBron James’ absence due to “personal reasons” has left fans and analysts speculating about when he will return. The Lakers initially listed James as out for soreness in his left foot, an injury that has sidelined him for two of their last three games. JJ Redick, the team’s head coach, has remained tight-lipped about James’ timeline for a comeback.
The uncertainty surrounding LeBron’s status only adds to the Lakers’ mounting concerns. The 39-year-old superstar had expressed a desire to play all 82 games this season, but injuries and the team’s cautious management may force him to reevaluate that goal.
When he has been healthy, however, LeBron James has been key to the Lakers. His contributions this season of nearly 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game just go to show the Lakers lack of offensive creating without their primary playmaker. They are 12–11 in games he has played.
His leadership, both as a scorer and playmaker, has been irreplaceable, especially affecting Anthony Davis’ numbers. Although his scoring has not taken a major dip, his field goal percent speaks a different story. Without LeBron James, Davis shot 47.2% from the field, whereas his numbers rose to 53.2% with James on the court.
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Armaan Gupta
(324 Articles Published)