LeBron James turned down a planned golf outing with former teammate JR Smith, highlighting just how much pressure he is carrying for the Los Angeles Lakers right now.
The two, who famously won the 2016 NBA Championship together with the Cleveland Cavaliers, had hoped to reconnect off the court.
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But the timing could not have been worse, with the Lakers dealing with a growing list of injuries. And for LeBron, that has changed everything.
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
JR Smith reveals why LeBron James skipped golf plans with him
The story surfaced in a clip shared via Yahoo Sports, where the situation around the canceled plans was discussed. The context reveals how seriously LeBron is taking the current stretch of the season.
Smith said, “It’s funny because he texted the group chat, because it was in Dallas when he was playing, and we were supposed to play golf.
“He’s like, ‘Man, I can’t play golf, I got too much on my shoulders right now. If this were five years ago, I would definitely play.’”
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The comment makes it clear that LeBron is fully locked in, prioritizing the team’s situation over everything else.
LeBron James is carrying the LA Lakers amid Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injuries
The reason behind that mindset becomes obvious when looking at the Lakers’ current situation.
With both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined due to injuries, LeBron has been forced into an even bigger role as the team’s primary creator and leader during a crucial stretch of the season.
Smith added, “But it’s tough, man. It’s always next man up mentality, so I’m excited to see who can possibly step up for them.”
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The quote reflects both the challenge and the expectation within the squad, as others are now required to contribute while LeBron continues to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility.
At this stage of his career, moments like these underline just how much the Lakers still rely on him, even when the odds are stacked against them.
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