James continues to stay with the Lakers? Not surprisingly, he and the management understand that the championship is just a business gimmick

Text/Jiang Shihua

On May 28, American journalist Shams talked about Lakers player James likely to continue playing for the Lakers next season in a program today. He said: James will likely execute his contract with the $52.6 million player option next season and continue to play with the Lakers. Simply put, this famous reporter believes that James will continue to implement the player option next season and stay with the Lakers to play, and things are that simple. As a well-known media person, being able to express such a view in public should have confirmed it with James in advance. In fact, this is not surprising. At the age of 40, he still has an annual salary of more than 50 million yuan. Who else can give it besides the Lakers?

Judging from personal data, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game this season. But from the perspective of personal efficiency, especially in the fourth quarter of the playoffs, James was obviously not physically strong and seemed very embarrassed on the defensive end. The Timberwolves series only played five games and James was already trapped by injuries. Time is unforgiving, this is an indisputable fact. Of course, the reporter also mentioned: James will have some difficult conversations with the Lakers, but the content of the conversation is not a question of whether to leave or stay, but a question of how to strengthen the lineup next season.

But it is obvious that judging from the playoffs pattern in the past two years, the era that belongs to James Curry Durant has passed. In other words, as long as James stays with the Lakers with an annual salary of more than 50 million, the Lakers cannot be a strong contender for the championship. This conclusion is established in the same way as the team where the Warriors and Durant are. But considering Los Angeles' urban status, whether it is James or the Lakers management, the slogan of championship competition should be shouted, mainly for the box office. In my opinion, James can go on a retirement tour next season. At least at this stage, James' acting skills are better than football skills.