Skip Bayless did not appear to be very impressed with the most recent accomplishment of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. As many NBA fans should certainly be aware, the Lakers managed to make history by becoming the first team to win the new NBA In-Season Tournament.
Los Angeles remained undefeated throughout the entire tournament and defeated the Indiana Pacers in the Finals to become midseason champions. Although this tournament holds little value when compared to an NBA title, there is no denying that winning it is still quite an accomplishment that should not be looked down on.
However, Skip Bayless had no problem doing just that when discussing the victory of the Lakers. Bayless’ statements generated quite a lot of attention from the basketball community. Therefore, an in-depth look is required.
Skip Bayless compares LeBron James’ In-Season win to the Bubble Championship
LeBron James joined the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2019 and managed to win an NBA championship with the team in 2020. However, the entire postseason was conducted in a “bubble” located in Orlando due to the pandemic. Therefore, the teams did not participate in home and away games for the entire postseason and played with no fans present.
“A whole lot of teams, almost bubble-like, did not take this nearly as seriously as LeBron and company. It became a microcosm of the bubble championship where a bunch of teams were like we’re out…”
A lot teams didn’t take this nearly as seriously as LeBron and company. https://t.co/6utyXRwQQn
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 12, 2023
It undoubtedly looks as though Bayless is grasping at straws to discredit LeBron. After all, the teams had a financial incentive and fans present to play for. However, fans who know about Skip will not be too surprised by his take.
Skip is considered one of LeBron’s biggest critics and haters
Out of all the critics and haters that the Lakers star has in the NBA media, one could argue that Skip Bayless stands above them all. Skip has been covering the NBA for several decades and still brings up past failures of LeBron James to discredit his positive accomplishments.
As a result, Skip has been branded a LeBron hater by the NBA world. Upon hearing his most recent statement regarding the IST win, fans were quick to point out the hypocrisy, “So LeBron has no killer gene and doesn’t want to win. When LeBron does want to win, he shouldn’t. Make it make sense, simply a hater.”
So LeBron has no killer gene and doesn’t want to win.
When LeBron does want to win, he shouldn’t.
Make it make sense, simply a hater
— Obi-Wan Kenboaby (@BaylanSkolLager) December 12, 2023
In any case, all of this goes to show that even the most prominent and acknowledged NBA stars have a steady flow of negative media surrounding them that will criticize them even during times they shine. Hopefully, LeBron and the Lakers do not let Bayless’ words get to them and continue playing at a high level.