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However you look at it, the playoffs just aren't the same without LeBron James. He is still unquestionably the biggest name in the game today, and for him not to take part in the postseason festivities is simply a disappointment for most NBA fans.
ESPN's Jalen Rose definitely seems to think this, as the former Most Improved Player of the Year winner shared his thoughts on what type of effect LeBron's absence from the playoffs might have:
“There is a void,” Rose said of James and his Lakers not playing, via Justin Terranova of the New York Post. “It’s almost like you walk out the door to get in the car and ‘Where are my keys?’ You have to go back in the house to get them.
“He’s a notable, iconic, philanthropic leader. To not have him in these game it’s going to affect some people’s interest who are casual fans.”
Rose went on to explain how LeBron's move to the Los Angeles Lakers last summer changed the landscape of the entire Eastern Conference. For years, James was the gatekeeper in the East, with a number of Eastern Conference teams going all out just to be able to try to topple LeBron and his Cleveland Cavaliers:
“Each one of those teams has aspirations to not only make it to the conference finals without LeBron James, but to reach the NBA Finals,” Rose said. “Toronto went out and got Kawhi [Leonard] knowing he can walk, Boston has Kyrie [Irving] that could possibly walk, Philly acquired [Jimmy] Butler and Tobias [Harris] and they could walk. This has set up a level of excitement and intrigue because whoever loses in this round is going to look at their season as a disappointment.”
Regardless of what you might think of LeBron, if your love for the sport of basketball is genuine, you cannot deny that not seeing one of the greatest players ever compete for the ultimate prize this season is regretful.
