It’s safe to say that LeBron James will be remembered as one of the best, if not the single best player in NBA history. But that didn’t stop the Los Angeles Lakers star from having quite a lackluster offensive performance during his preseason debut on Monday night.
During Monday night’s preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings, James played 16 minutes during the game’s first half. But shockingly, the four-time NBA MVP didn’t hit a single shot. He finished the game 0-for-7 from the field with a couple of brutal misses on layups.
Despite the poor start to the preseason, James clearly wasn’t all that worried about it as the Lakers’ star laughed when questioned about his 0-for-7 shooting performance.
LeBron laughed when he was asked about shooting 0-for 7 from the field: pic.twitter.com/9r8yLzWmPw
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) October 4, 2022
“I just missed some shots,” James said after the game. “I missed three layups, a wide-open layup, a couple of threes. I’ve been 0-fer before, but I just have played more. I’ve started a game where I’ve been like 0-for-9 before but I played 35, 45 minutes giving me an opportunity to get my rhythm. But 15 minutes, it was over with.”
James said that this early in the preseason, he’s not worried about his poor shooting performance.
“That’s the last thing on my mind as far as makes or misses,” James said. “It’s about working on habits.”
While James might not be worried about it, the NBA world absolutely blasted him on Twitter for his abysmal performance on Monday night.
LeBron James in the first half vs Kings:
16 Minutes
4 Points
0-7 FG
0% 3PTYEAR 20
pic.twitter.com/r4zoqGXh4L — Hater Central (@TheHateCentral) October 4, 2022
LeBron James has opened the Lakers' first preseason game shooting 0-for-6 from the field. He was clearly frustrated after missing the last shot he was fouled on, shaking his head as he looked down at the floor.
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) October 4, 2022
LeBron is 0 for 7 tonight late in the half.
The last time he was 0 for 7 at halftime of a game was Feb. 19, 2008.
That year, the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series.
LFG.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) October 4, 2022
LeBron just made both free throws! Maybe there's hope.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 4, 2022
Good thing it's preseason: LeBron has started 0 for 6 from the field and I can't remember the last time that could be said. He shook his head after drawing a foul but missing the and-1 layup at the hoop.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) October 4, 2022
Davis has controlled the defensive glass thus far with 9 rebounds in 12 minutes. He's 2 for 5 with a made 3 on the other end.
LeBron has yet to hit a shot, starting 0 for 7 as he looks for his rhythm. He's 4 for 5 at the FT line, with LAL leading 35-28 midway through the 2nd.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 4, 2022
James is currently entering his 20th season in the NBA. For his sake, hopefully, some shots start to fall.