Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has never been shy to speak his mind.
Whether he is suggesting that the Brooklyn Nets are a little overhyped right now, explaining why he didn’t like his teammate’s attempted buzzer beater or calling out Cleveland Cavaliers execs – James always tells it how it is.
On Tuesday, after the reserves for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game were announced, James spoke truth to power once more.
As far as he is concerned, there was a glaring omission this year that needs to be recognized.
That omission?
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.
“Devin Booker is the most disrespected player in our league,” he tweeted. “Simple as that.”
The second most disrespected player? Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.
“Followed by Dame Dolla,” he followed up.
It’s hard to argue with James’ assessment.
Booker is averaging 24.7 points and 4.3 assists per outing while shooting 50 percent from the field, 38 percent from beyond the arc and 84 percent from the free-throw line. Moreover, his Suns have continued to build on the momentum established in last year’s bubble and are currently the No. 4 seed in the West.
It’s unclear whether Booker’s exclusion is some sort of punishment for his involvement in the 7-Suns-Players-In-1-Night scandal that rocked the NBA during the offseason, or whether it was basketball-related, but it’s objectively odd any way you look at it.
The video speaks for itself. https://t.co/FHJEdZ5jPI
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 24, 2021
Similarly, even though Lillard made it as a reserve this year, he quite clearly deserved a starting gig. Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, who got the starting spot instead of him, admitted this much.
Lillard is averaging 29.6 points and 8.0 assists per outing while shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 37.9 from beyond the arc and 93.4 percent from the free throw line. Despite a plethora of injuries hitting his squad, he has somehow kept the short-handed Blazers at No. 6 in the West.
He and Booker definitely aren’t getting the credit they deserve this season.
James is one of the most knowledgeable basketball minds in the game today, and his observation regarding the league’s two most disrespected players was ultimately right on the money.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
