The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025 NBA playoffs with high expectations, carrying the fourth-shortest odds to win the championship and the second-shortest odds to capture the Western Conference title.
However, their postseason dreams came to a sudden halt as the Minnesota Timberwolves stunned them in a first-round 4-1 series defeat. The loss has triggered widespread debate about the team’s shortcomings and the future of LeBron James with the franchise.
James, who played alongside Luka Doncic in a star-studded Lakers lineup, addressed the criticism on his Mind the Game podcast. He rejected the notion that he and Doncic alone were responsible for the team’s collapse, emphasizing the collective nature of winning championships. “It was never just about me and Luka, or Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. It was always about Minnesota versus the Lakers,” James said, highlighting deeper roster issues that hindered the team’s ability to compete.
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Despite his defense, fans had mixed reactions. Some supported his view that basketball is a team sport, while others saw his comments as an attempt to shift blame. One fan accused him of “whining,” while another speculated that James was subtly criticizing the Lakers’ front office. The backlash reflects broader concerns about the team’s structure and whether they built a roster capable of championship contention.