LeBron James on playing more time with Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook: Not my decision

Melissa Rohlin: LeBron James when asked if he, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook just need more time together: “That’s not my decision.”
Source: Twitter @melissarohlin

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On: Postseason is Set; 7 vs 8 Play-In Outlooks w/ @Nate Duncan
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Listen: …basketball-nba-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/posts… – 2:00 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
How much longer does LeBron James want to keep playing?
“I don’t have a cap on how long I want to play. But I can still produce at a high level, as I showed this year.”
We know he wants to play with Bronny so that likely means he’ll play through 2024-25: basketballnews.com/stories/lebron… – 1:53 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James: “The front office is going to do whatever it takes to help this ball club become a better ball club, from top to bottom. If they ask me my opinion, I’ll give them my opinion. But at the end of the day, they’re going to make the decisions they feel is best.” – 1:28 PM Zach LaVine @ZachLaVine
As an athlete I can tell you that not everything is a sponsored post. This one is though @MountainDew #ad pic.twitter.com/13OfHhhH6r – 1:25 PM Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
LeBron James says he never considered chasing the scoring title once the Lakers were eliminated from playoff contention, saying it would’ve been the “wackest thing ever.” basketballnews.com/stories/lebron… – 1:19 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
wanted to reiterate my correct All-NBA selections, separate from the incorrect graphic during the show, just for clarity:
1st: Luka, Booker, Giannis, Embiid, Jokic
2nd: Curry, Ja, Tatum, KD, KAT
3rd: CP3, DeRozan, Siakam, LeBron, Bam
Full episode
youtu.be/WE2nlRqgp5E – 1:11 PM Adi Joseph @AdiJoseph
A wild thing about Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon is they are both older than Anthony Davis. – 1:03 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Aside from his ankle injury, LeBron James was asked whether missing out on the scoring title meant something to him:
“Once we were eliminated from playoff contention, there was nothing to talk about, think about,” he said. – 12:33 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron says going after a scoring title w/o making the playoffs is “the most wackest thing ever.” – 12:33 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron said there was no consideration of him returning to play just to qualify for the scoring title, due to his ankle injury. Were he healthy, he’d have played.
“I’m not out there just to be playing meaningless games to win the scoring title.” – 12:33 PM Brad Turner @BA_Turner
“I have not been told. I’ve seen the reports like everybody else has,” LeBron James on reports that Frank Vogel has been fired as Lakers coach. – 12:30 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James when asked if he has a problem with the way Frank Vogel found out he was fired: “….I can only control what I can control.” – 12:30 PM Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
LeBron says he has not been informed whether or not Frank Vogel has been fired. AK – 12:29 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
LeBron says he has not been officially told that Frank Vogel has been fired. – 12:29 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron James: “I have not been told” whether Frank Vogel has been fired. – 12:29 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James asked if he’s bothered with the way the Lakers handled Frank Vogel’s firing: “I can only control what I can control.” LeBron added that he hasn’t been told directly that Vogel has been let go. – 12:29 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James when asked if he, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook just need more time together: “That’s not my decision.” – 12:28 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on if the Lakers should keep himself, AD and Westbrook as a trio: “That’s not my decision.” LeBron called it a “front office decision.” – 12:27 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on dealing with injuries throughout his four-year Lakers tenure: “It’s been some freak accidents.” – 12:26 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron claims he was the “MVP of the season” last year before he sprained his ankle. – 12:25 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron says the reason the BIG 3 didn’t work this season is “because we weren’t on the damn floor together.”
21 games of LeBron + AD + Westbrook. – 12:24 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James: “The reason we weren’t very good together? We weren’t on the damn floor together.” – 12:24 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James sums up his fit with Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook: “The reason we were not very good together is we weren’t on the damn floor together. That’s the No. 1 damn thing.” – 12:24 PM Dave McMenamin @mcten
LeBron James says the MRI on his left ankle confirmed that he would not require surgery or any injections to it to repair it. He said he made the ankle worse by playing in the second New Orleans game on it and will need to stay off it for the next 4-6 weeks to let it recover – 12:24 PM Mike Bresnahan @Mike_Bresnahan
LeBron James said he would need to stay off his sprained ankle for another 4-6 weeks after getting an MRI last week.
No surgery required, but he acknowledged he probably shouldn’t have played vs. New Orleans two weeks ago. – 12:23 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James said the MRI revealed that there’s no surgery required for his ankle. He said he needs to stay off it for 4-6 weeks. He added that he shouldn’t have played against NO and likely made it worse. – 12:23 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron also says he’s got some doctor appts lined up to take a look at his knee and groin. – 12:23 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
LeBron said he’ll have to stay off of his left ankle for the next 4-6 weeks, but no surgery or injections. He shouldn’t have played against New Orleans, he said, and he made it worse, but he wanted to see if the Lakers could make a push. – 12:23 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
LeBron James says he will need to stay off of his sprained left ankle for 4-6 weeks. – 12:23 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron on his ankle after an MRI: “There’s no surgery required, no injections, but I’m going to have to stay off it for 4 to 6 weeks to let it recover.”
He said he shouldn’t have played in the New Orleans game, which made it worse. But: “I’ll make a full recovery.” – 12:22 PM Brad Turner @BA_Turner
LeBron James said he’ll have to stay off ankle 4-6 weeks after getting MRI on ankle. – 12:22 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on his MRI on his left ankle: “There’s no surgery, no injections.” But he said he has to stay off of his ankle for next 4 to 6 weeks. – 12:22 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron says there’s “no surgery required” on his injured ankle after getting an MRI. – 12:22 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on what the team needs to address most with its roster – offense, defense, getting younger? LeBron: “All three.” – 12:20 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
When asked what needs tweaking in the roster — offense, defense or getting younger, LeBron says, “all three.” – 12:18 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron James says this season is “not a failure” because the team worked together daily on trying to get better. – 12:18 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
When LeBron James was asked what he wants to tweak in his game this off-season, he said, “I wanna get to the free throw line,” adding that he needs to learn how to “trick the refs.” – 12:17 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on one of his goals next season: “I want to get to the free-throw line. I want to learn how to trick the refs.” – 12:16 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
LeBron emphasizes that if the Lakers’ front office asks his opinion, he’ll give it, but his main responsibility is being ready at the start of training camp to lead whoever the team is. – 12:16 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron on what he wants to work on this summer: “I want to get to the free-throw line. … I’ve got to figure it out.” – 12:16 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron: “The front office is going to do whatever it takes to make (this franchise) better. … it’s my job to make sure I’m ready at the start of training camp, ready to lead the team that’s on the floor, whoever that may be.” – 12:15 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron on upgrading the roster: “I think the front office is going to do whatever it takes” to make the team better moving forward. – 12:15 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron: “I don’t have a cap on how long I want to play.”
He said it depends upon health, but: “I can still produce at a high level, as I showed this year.” – 12:14 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron on how long he wants to play: “I don’t have a cap on how long I want to play. … But I can still produce at a high level. That I showed this year for sure.” – 12:14 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron remarked upon how frustrating the injuries and lack of continuity were this season, citing the franchise-record 41 different starting lineups that were used. – 12:13 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron said he came to the Lakers to win a championship, and did so in 2020, but that remains the goal:
“I want to do it again.” – 12:12 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron on winning a championship with the Lakers: “I want to do it again.” – 12:12 PM Bill Oram @billoram
LeBron on wanting to win championships as a Laker: “I accomplished what I to accomplish and I’m still hungry for more … Also want to just change the narrative of how this franchise can compete at a high level again.” – 12:11 PM Dave McMenamin @mcten
LeBron James on his four years in Los Angeles: “I came here to win a championship but I want to win more … I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish … but I want to do it again” – 12:11 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron said it’s natural to start thinking about the group for next season, how the pieces can best fit, looking for a “roster that can bring more wins,” no matter where he’s on the court most: “My personal goal is to be able to play any position on the floor.” – 12:11 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James on Frank Vogel’s firing: pic.twitter.com/X1q54TRzfR – 12:11 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron on confidence in the Lakers rebounding: “I came here to win a championship and I want to win more.” – 12:11 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James: “I came here to win a championship. I came here to win more.” – 12:11 PM Bill Oram @billoram
LeBron James said he has not yet had conversations about the contract extension he will be eligible for later this summer. – 12:10 PM Dane Moore @DaneMooreNBA
It seems a lot of people think Pat Bev will check Paul George. He won’t
Jarred Vanderbilt will be the primary matchup on PG, because he always takes big ball-handlers (LeBron, Luka, etc). But Anthony Edwards will also get a lot of work on him. Switches, sloppy cross matches, etc pic.twitter.com/I5rBleAiLM – 12:10 PM Dave McMenamin @mcten
LeBron James: “I respect Frank as a coach and as a man … He’s a man who gives everything to the game … At the end of the day I don’t know what’s going to happen with Frank and him being here, but I have nothing but respect for him” – 12:10 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
LeBron on Westbrook: “One thing about Russ that I love and I will always love is just his competitive spirit and what he brings to the game every night.” Says it’s not up to him to make decisions about the roster, but he’s loved being Russ’ teammate. – 12:10 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron on Frank Vogel: “I respect Frank as a coach and as a man. … I have nothing but respect for him.” – 12:10 PM Brad Turner @BA_Turner
“I respect Frank as a coach,” LeBron James said. – 12:10 PM Dave McMenamin @mcten
LeBron James says that the collective bargaining agreement has not allowed him and Rich Paul to discuss a contract extension for him with Rob Pelinka and the Lakers yet. He says when those conversations are allowed to occur by the CBA, they will be had. – 12:09 PM Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Lebron on his time with Westbrook…”I love being a teammate with Russ, that’s just the way it is…” – 12:09 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron on Russell Westbrook partnership next year: “I don’t put any expectations on anything. … I love being a teammate with Russ. That’s just the way it is.” – 12:09 PM Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James when asked if he intends to sign a contract extension with the Lakers pic.twitter.com/ff1yBOHYKF – 12:09 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James on if he plans to sign an extension with the Lakers yet: “Myself and Rich can’t even begin to talk to Rob and the front office because of the collective bargaining agreement. When we get to that point, we’ll see.” – 12:08 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron James on being eligible for an extension with the Lakers: “The conversation hasn’t been talked about. … When we get to that point, we’ll see.” – 12:08 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James: “My personal goal is to be able to play at any position on the floor.” – 12:07 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
LeBron James is beginning his exit interview. Said it’s human nature to start thinking ahead to next season and think about how the Lakers can build a roster that wins more: “We definitely want to be better.” – 12:06 PM Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James about to start his exit interview pic.twitter.com/TDmOQ3F0Uv – 12:06 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron’s presser begins… pic.twitter.com/IAx5Y4EMT1 – 12:06 PM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Free pod: Postseason is Set; 7 vs 8 Play-In Outlooks w/ @Danny Leroux: https://t.co/bZUsbK8SxN
Dunc’d On Total Access members get this episode ad-free, plus our other 4 pods per week. Subscribe: https://t.co/XSgwN6kjka pic.twitter.com/aQTZF5bOpm – 12:00 PM Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
The Lakers are eyeing a recent NBA championship coach for their expected head coach opening – and which Eastern Conference team could emerge as a trade partner for Russell Westbrook.
Inside what’s next for the Lakers at @TheAthletic: theathletic.com/3243084/2022/0… – 11:58 AM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
With the season now over for the Lakers, odds have surfaced regarding Russell Westbrook’s next team, via @bookies: pic.twitter.com/XsBeaOnFS2 – 11:44 AM Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Joel Embiid led the NBA in scoring, averaging 30.6 PPG.
He did so despite averaging 33.8 MPG, the lowest figure in NBA history by a player who averaged at least 30 PPG:
33.8 – Embiid, 2021-22
34.2 – Stephen Curry, 2020-21
34.2 – Curry, 2015-16
34.6 – Russell Westbrook, 2016-17 pic.twitter.com/BAS3E0ud20 – 11:11 AM Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Nikola Jokic this season:
2,004 PTS (5th)
1,019 REB (1st)
584 AST (6th)
109 STL (10th)
Jokic is just the second player in NBA history to rank in the top 10 of all four categories in a single season.
He joins Russell Westbrook, who did so twice (2016-17 & 2017-18). pic.twitter.com/pGRVIv396E – 11:01 AM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On: Postseason is Set; 7 vs 8 Play-In Outlooks w/ @Nate Duncan
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Listen: …basketball-nba-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/posts… – 11:00 AM Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Over NY’s final five games,
Obi Toppin averaged:
27.2 points,
6.2 rebounds,
3.8 made treys.
The only other players to average more than 27 points and six rebs in April were Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Pascal Siakam & Kevin Durant
tommybeer.substack.com/p/obi-and-iq-c… – 10:38 AM Anthony Edwards @theantedwards_
Always got tha sauce on me.
Get that @Popeyes #mostdunkablemeal available 4/12 only on @UberEats https://t.co/u5HCcFGhbK
Ends 4/17/2022.
Details on the app. #ad pic.twitter.com/hxIwUmOZ5o – 10:00 AM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Lakers’ Anthony Davis still believes he and LeBron James can be the foundation of a championship team
https://t.co/qxpLOtoFAK pic.twitter.com/FeVjQhwgtU – 9:30 AM Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Victor Oladipo last night:
40 PTS
10 REB
7 AST
Oladipo is just the third player in @Miami Heat history to record at least 40p/10r/5a in a regular season game.
He joins Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, each of whom did so three times. pic.twitter.com/EmjF8E5wOV – 9:11 AM Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Free pod: Postseason is Set; 7 vs 8 Play-In Outlooks w/ @Danny Leroux: https://t.co/bZUsbK8SxN
Dunc’d On Total Access members get this episode ad-free, plus our other 4 pods per week. Subscribe: https://t.co/XSgwN6kjka pic.twitter.com/gAlXOJ9F5v – 9:00 AM Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Russell Westbrook next team odds (via @bookies):
Los Angeles Lakers: +250
Oklahoma City Thunder+ +400
Houston Rockets: +550
Charlotte Hornets: +550
Miami Heat: +600 – 8:18 AM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On: Postseason is Set; 7 vs 8 Play-In Outlooks w/ @Nate Duncan
Subscribe to Total Access for ad-free episodes of Dunc’d On, and much more: duncdon.supportingcast.fm
Listen: …basketball-nba-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/posts… – 8:14 AM Katy Winge @katywinge
DeMarcus Cousins explained he was taking a page from the LeBron James playbook to draw that flagrant foul. Said he went up a while back to swat LeBron, completely missed, but James acted and got him ejected.
Cousins said he was working it. The peek? “I was just messing around.” – 1:22 AM Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: Anthony Davis believes him and LeBron James can still lead a title team but admits the duo need to discuss “what changed” since the Bubble in rebuilding a contender this summer es.pn/3Kxb4zH – 1:19 AM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron James will be the first to talk tomorrow at 9am, according to the schedule sent out by Lakers PR. pic.twitter.com/Cy887oeXcT – 1:04 AM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I want to be clear about something. I have been very hard on the Lakers front office. I think deservedly so. I would not retain Rob Pelinka or Kurt Rambis.
But I think this is fixable no matter who the GM is. The Lakers have LeBron and AD. The hardest part is already done. – 12:49 AM StatMuse @statmuse
Coaches fired on a LeBron team:
Paul Silas
Mike Brown
David Blatt
Luke Walton
Frank Vogel
Shoutout to Erik Spoelstra. pic.twitter.com/4fLzYb80H3 – 12:42 AM Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Lakers, picked by Vegas to win 52.5 games, end the season 33-49 – a final win in DEN offering respite from a painful campaign. LeBron, Westbrook and Rob Pelinka are all slated to speak to reporters Monday as part of exit interviews. There will be plenty of questions to answer – 12:39 AM Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Triple-doubles as a rookie: Austin Reaves, 1. LeBron James, 0. Draw your own conclusions, people. AK – 12:09 AM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
I asked Anthony Davis about Russell Westbrook’s often turbulent relationship with fans this season, how he and LeBron had communicated with him, and if he thought it could be healed. Davis’ response was four minutes long, and he wrapped up with this point on Russ’ role: pic.twitter.com/8o30BXvqhi – 10:03 PM Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Anthony Davis gives his thoughts on Coach Vogel in Pre Game…
“He hasn’t had a chance, especially in the last 2 years, to coach his team (referring to the injuries)…”
“Frank is one of my favorite…He knows what he’s doing…Goes to war with his players.”
@ESPNLosAngeles – 9:12 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Anthony Davis says Frank Vogel is one of his favorite coaches he’s had, that “he knows what he’s doing” and “goes to war for his players.” Says he feels Vogel didn’t get enough chances to coach his full, healthy team. – 9:03 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Anthony Davis is now conducting an exit interview in Denver. He says as far as he knows, his sprained foot is OK and doesn’t need any further medical options, but he thinks he’ll have an MRI to check up on it in the coming week. – 9:01 PM Dave McMenamin @mcten
Frank Vogel says LeBron James did not make the final trip of the Lakers season because he had an MRI on his left ankle scheduled in Los Angeles. When asked if the team had the results of the MRI available, a team spokesperson said, “No.” – 8:10 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
The Lakers disclosed earlier today the LeBron did not travel because of a medical appointment; Vogel adds pregame that he got an MRI yesterday. – 8:09 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Michael Malone said Denver will be sitting a bunch of guys tonight against the Lakers: Jokic, Gordon, Barton and Morris.
For LAL, no LeBron, AD, Westbrook or Anthony. – 7:48 PM Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Trae Young today:
28 PTS
5 REB
11 AST
It’s the 29th time Young has recorded at least 25p/10a in a game this season.
The only players since the ABA-NBA merger to record more such games in a season are James Harden (43, 2016-17) and Russell Westbrook (37, 2016-17). pic.twitter.com/k84tKLjgLy – 7:29 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Kyrie: “I think somebody’s in the back room hip hip hooraying whoever created the Play-In tournament. Because last year you get Steph and LeBron, this year you get me and KD going against the Cavs in the Play-In game.” – 7:04 PM Bill Oram @billoram
As a matter of housekeeping, LeBron James is not with the Lakers in Denver for the season finale. He had a doctor’s appointment yesterday regarding his ankle. – 6:50 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
LeBron James is not with the Lakers at tonight’s game in Denver, the team said.
James had a medical appointment in Los Angeles with team physician Dr. Kris Jones yesterday regarding his left sprained ankle and was excused by the Lakers. – 6:50 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving points out that whoever invented the Play-In “must be in a backroom hip, hip, hooraying.” Points out last year it was Steph vs. LeBron, this year they get him and Durant. – 6:41 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
This will be the first non-LeBron Cavs team to finish above .500 since 1997-98. Think that’s something to be proud of regardless of what the short-term outlook is for that team. – 5:57 PM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’m just now reading Brad Turner’s and Dan Woike’s Lakers autopsy and this bit stuck out to me.
What concerns did they have about DeMar that they didn’t have about Westbrook? They have very similar weaknesses. pic.twitter.com/lih1AlcxrK – 2:55 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“They have to make drastic changes for to be around two to three more years”
For the Lakers to maximize their time with LeBron James, @Gary Payton tells @termineradio and @Eddie Johnson they need an influx of younger players
#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/UmGaSmHWGn – 2:09 PM

More on this storyline

The Indiana Pacers could emerge as a potential suitor for Westbrook, rival executives believe, but any trade involving the former NBA MVP will be complicated due to his massive salary and the Lakers’ next available first-round draft pick being in 2027, which the franchise will prioritize and thus be prudent in deciding the best route with Westbrook. Two other routes for Westbrook could be keeping him or discussing a contract buyout. -via The Athletic / April 11, 2022 Mark Medina: LeBron James on if he can envision playing with Russell Westbrook again next season: “I’m not here to make decisions for the front office and that nature. But I loved being teammates with Russ.” -via Twitter @MarkG_Medina / April 11, 2022 I guess my top three will probably be again Houston, New York and Charlotte, based on what I’ve heard and what other people have reported. -via Spotify / April 10, 2022