Lakers played an 83rd game (IST champshp) plus a 49:30 min regulation game

[FultzNationRISE]

Lakers played an additional non-schedule game this season in the IST, plus a game down the stretch where a play clock error added an extra minute and a half to the game (which then went to overtime).

Then they had to play the play-in.

So theyve played +2 games at this point compared to their first round opponent.

If the Lakers dont win, this season is absolutely an asterisk for whoever does :biggums:

[SATAN]

MJ would retire again under these circumstances...

[rmt]

Why the complaints? Does this extra time allow for Lebron to add even more points to his career total?

[ImKobe]

Why the complaints? Does this extra time allow for Lebron to add even more points to his career total?

Pretty sure those games don't count as far as all-time scoring totals go.

[rmt]

Pretty sure those games don't count as far as all-time scoring totals go.

So play-in game scoring doesn't count? My apologies then.

[RogueBorg]

More excuses. The softest era in NBA history.

[FultzNationRISE]

Bro, Lebron was required to play more regular season games than everyone else, as a "reward" for the Lakers being the best team in the IST. Then he even played a game that was 49:30 long in regulation. Unprecedented.

If it wasnt for those two stupid anomalies, Lebron salvages just a tiny bit more energy in these two playoff games and the Lakers are up 2-0 right now.

This series absolutely counts as a win for Lebron even if they dont advance, and whoever wins the chip gets an asterisk. Simple as that. PERIOD.

Lebron should frankly sue the NBA for this.

[RogueBorg]

If it wasnt for those two stupid anomalies, Lebron salvages just a tiny bit more energy in these two playoff games and the Lakers are up 2-0 right now.
.

If a frog had wings, it wouldn't bump its butt everytime it hopped.

[ralph_i_el]

MJ would retire again under these circumstances...

LeBron should take a year off to rest, and let the rest of the league audition for his services all season. I'm not sure how late he could leave it before picking a team to sign with.

Would be fun to speculate on all year. Giving LeBron some time to rest could end up delivering an even crazier combo of athleticism and old-man skill.

[bison]

It's no big deal if the lakers get eliminated this playoffs. The NBA ring, as OP explained, is just an asterisk consolation ring, akin to a prize or toy you'd find in a cereal box. The REAL ring was won in december in the IST tournament. That's #18 for L.A., and ring #5 for Lebron :bowdown: