What Went Wrong: The King's Last Stand?

The Los Angeles Lakers have, for the last four or five decades (at least) have been a centerpiece in the National Basketball Association. At times, they've been the centerpiece--regardless of how they fare. They've always had the star power, from Wilt, to Kareem, to Magic, to Shaq and Kobe, and now, it's LeBron. I remember when the rumor of LeBron heading to LA started. I didn't believe it. I didn't have him leaving Cleveland again. But it did seem different than the last time.

When LeBron first left Cleveland, he was frustrated, and rightfully so. When he left again, the frustration was gone. He was a few years removed from winning with the Cavs, so really, he fulfilled his goal. I still think LeBron with the Lakers is odd, because he's not one to want to follow the footsteps of others. He's all about forging his own path, and he's done an excellent job of doing so.

As for the team, the Lakers managed to get a Top 6 spot in the West this year, and they did make something of it. A first-round victory over the Houston Rockets in six games made them one of the NBA's Elite Eight. One problem: they ran into the defending champs and their reigning MVP. Yeah. Going up against the Oklahoma City Thunder always goes as well as one expects. OKC brought out the brooms on the Lakers, and that was that.

That's really the only thing that went wrong for the Lakers. They got Thunderstruck. Happens to everyone.

So the Los Angeles Lakers' 2025-26 season is over. But is it the end or LeBron James? That's the question that has been on the minds of damn near everyone. Lakers fans, NBA fans, talking ends, you name it. I still remember when LeBron was drafted like it was yesterday. He was the big buzz; coming straight out of St. Vincent/St. Mary's High School. The NBA equivalent of what we would later see in the NHL with the buzz around Sidney Crosby. His 23rd season is over. Will he call it a career? We don't know. But should he call it career? Honestly? Yes.

No, LeBron's age isn't a factor in this. Yes, he's 41, but he's still better than players who are 10 or 15 years younger than him. He's not declining at all. Honestly, that's why he should retire. LeBron's done it all. Four rings, many MVPs, and so many records--the main one being the all-time scoring record. LeBron's done everything he wants to do, and let's face it, he's won the rings he's going to win. I think that his next year should be his last one. The retirement tour will be amazing, especially that day where he plays his final NBA game in Cleveland. The emotion will be enough to create a sixth Great Lake.

As I said, the Lakers have been a centerpiece for decades, up there with the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and (whether some people like it or not) the Dallas Cowboys. So we will all see what they plan and come up with during this offseason. As for LeBron, again, I do think that his 24th season, if he comes back for that, should be his last one. He's done everything he got to do, and again, the retirement tour will be absolutely amazing if he does choose to call it a career. We sports fans have seen a lot of emotional retirements lately, most recently Anze Kopitar in the NHL, and John Cena in WWE. If next year is the finale for King James, it's going to be one hell of a last hurrah.