The Los Angeles Lakers have had their worst nightmares come true. LeBron James and Co. are officially eliminated from playoff contention after a season that started off with championship aspirations.

This has been a grueling campaign particularly for LeBron James. Despite somehow eclipsing 30 points per game, the 37-year-old only has but a few seasons left in the tank. To not be in the playoffs, let alone be in contention for another championship to add to his legacy, is definitely an all-time low point in his legendary career.

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The Lakers star was asked if he was ever tested as much he has been this season after their loss against the New Orleans Pelicans last week that put them on the brink of elimination. According to LeBron James, this season is “not even close” to the worst experience of his career.

“Yeah, for sure. My first few years in the league I didn't make the playoffs. But my first year in Miami, I made it all the way to the Finals and lost. That was the worst experience of my basketball career,” said LeBron James during the Lakers postgame presser.

“That year in Miami. … Getting all the way to that point that we all came together for and then losing in that Finals being up 2-1. That was the worst summer of my life but also the best summer of my life too because I really got an opportunity to hone in on my game that summer and became a whole new basketball player,” the Lakers star continued.

It's hard to imagine LeBron James as anything but a bona fide champion. But that first year with the Miami Heat was probably the lowest of the low points of his career. He had yet to win a title at that point while having two other star players by his side in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Losing that NBA Finals raised all kinds of question marks around LeBron James and how much of a winner he was despite being the undisputed best player in the world at the time.

This season has been a house of horrors for the Lakers. But looking at things just from LeBron James' perspective, it's been a show of force from a generational talent playing way beyond most superstar's expiry dates. He's already won a championship in LA and has three more rings prior to that.

In many ways, King James is playing with house money as he continues to enter unprecedented territory with each passing season he continues to play at this high of a level. That's why it's hard to say, despite the doom and gloom surrounding the Lakers franchise at the moment, that this has a huge impact in tainting the overall legacy of LeBron James.

“I hate losing. This is not what we signed up for. But this isn't the worst thing that's happened to me so far. It's not even close,” James said.

This season hasn't been ideal for the Lakers. But LeBron James been through a lot worse and come back stronger each time.