Zurab Talakvadze

What’s next, King?

Lebron James missed another game.

And, the Lakers (13:12) got beaten by the pesky Wolves (13:11). It is too early to put the hammer on the King’s squad, but there are some reasons for panic.

The team is in the midst of a bad stretch, where fast paced opponents are the beating them with ease and the better equipped ones are – with talent. Either way, Lebron and his once so called Doom Machine have to react fast.

We still believe that Lebron can change these Lakers. May be, for the last time in his career. But what if those Lakers do not react in a proper way? What if nobody takes on D’Angelo Russell and his 18.6 million expiring contract? What if James himself gets bored and demands a trade?

These are too many “ifs”.

Lebron can cooperate with anybody. And you do not have to be Stephen Curry to be on his wish list. This pair worked some magic during last summer Olympics, but those are games are in the past. What really does matter, is the present and the future, where Lakers need someone to hold that elusive candle for them. Lebron is not enough.

Golden State will have another lucrative offer to grab Lebron, but James has one thing in mind: he wants to win and wants that in a Laker uniform. The King had his share of chances of moving to a contender last summer, but remained a Laker. He just wished to remain in an Angel City.

Lebron has got his no-trade clause. Lebron acts like a general manager and he calls time outs. Any team, that is willing to offer the future for the services of King, knows that once Lebron walks into the gym, the whole team, the franchise belongs to him.

Well, Lakers are waiting. For Davis to become the MVP caliber titan that he was during the first three weeks of this season. For those dead reserves to act like players. For Russell to leave. And, finally to get some needed help at point guard position, this team desperately needs too.

And, yeah, they still lack a true center, a pivot, that will free up those lanes for Davis and play some expected defense.

As for now, Lebron will try and rest his body for the upcoming shot times, where Lakers need to show their guts and passion.

Lebron has to react. In a fast way. Or we are talking demise.