The 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers are set to be the oldest team in NBA history, and LeBron James wants you to keep talking about it. Well, maybe.
The #WashedKing fired off an impassioned tweet on Wednesday warning anyone and everyone hating on the new-look Lakers for their potential spacing and injury issues, age, and any other critique one might conjure up.
“Keep talking about my squad, our personnel ages, the way he plays, he stays injured, we’re past our time in this league, etc etc etc.,” LeBron implored. “Do me one favor PLEASE!!!! And I mean PLEASE!!! Keep that same narrative ENERGY when it begins! That’s all I ask. #ThankYou.”
Minutes later, though, he LeDeleted the tweet. Fortunately, we have the receipt:
The Lakers agreed to terms with one of LeBron’s long-time buddies, 37-year old Carmelo Anthony on Tuesday, days after agreeing to acquire Russell Westbrook, 32, with LeBron’s blessing.
After a disappointing Monday that saw the Lakers low-ball 27-year old Alex Caruso and bring back four ex-Lakers ages 32 or older—Kent Bazemore (32), Wayne Ellington (33), Dwight Howard (35), and Trevor Ariza (36)—Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and assistant general manager LeBron James impressively rebounded on Tuesday. Besides Anthony, Los Angeles added Kendrick Nunn (26), Malik Monk (23), and re-signed Talen Horton-Tucker (20).
At the moment, the Lakers have three open roster spots to fill. LeBron’s recruiting partner, Jared Dudley (36) expects a spot, while another could go to Wesley Matthews (34).
Marc Gasol (36) announced plans to play this season.
Between Bazemore, Anthony, Ellington, Nunn, and Monk—all of whom shot over 38 percent from deep in 2020-21—the Lakers have seemed to address their shooting woes, though the Westbrook addition still complicates matters.
Above all else, the fate of the Lakers’ season will hinge on the health of LeBron and Anthony Davis. LeBron, in his age-37 season, was playing MVP-caliber basketball before suffering a high-ankle sprain on March 20, from which he never fully recovered.
Davis never got rolling coming off the shortened offseason and limped through a frustrating campaign.
