LeBron James missing the NBA playoffs was something the world of basketball hasn't seen in 14 years. Averaging 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in 55 games played, James' efforts could not save the Los Angeles Lakers from an early vacation.
Draymond Green has gone against King James for the last four years, so it is no surprise that he is baffled by the LeBron's absence. "It's just weird," he told Bleacher Report. "More as a basketball fan than anything: 'Damn, Bron not there. It's super weird. You always relish the opportunity to play against a talent like that."
Since 2015, the Warriors have faced LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers, besting them every year except in 2016. This will be the first year they won't have to do that. "It's just weird to look over there to know that you're going to play someone completely different," Green continued. "It's kind of a mindfuck."
Of course, Green isn't the only one feeling LeBron's absence. NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently admitted that LeBron not playing factors in the dip in viewership.
After a not-so-stellar 2018-19 season for the Lakers, the organization is looking to strategize for future success. In addition to hiring Frank Vogel as the head coach (along with Jason Kidd as an assistant coach), the team (LeBron specifically) has been eyeing several key pieces to add to their ranks.
