LeBron James has looked more like his usual self over the past few weeks after missing the first 14 games of the season with sciatica. In the past seven games, he averaged 25.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6 assists per game, shooting 53.3% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range.
But his performance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day was less than satisfactory. He took 13 shots, hit 7, and finished with 18 points and 5 assists. He wasn’t that confident and, according to an ESPN source, his body language was terrible.
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Kendrick Perkins said James’ body language was “terrible” as he seemed to suggest the superstar needed to be traded.
“When he’s not engaged or he’s feeling a certain way, it shows in his body language. His body language last night was terrible. He’s not engaged, he’s pouting, he’s sullen, he’s walking around the damn floor, he’s complaining.
“LeBron and the Lakers — their relationship has come to an end and they need to find a solution, and the solution is not to have him in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform… He knows this roster isn’t built yet… He knows this roster isn’t enough.”
James does have a history of displaying poor body language when things aren’t going well for his team. Things are not going well for the Lakers right now.
After a 15-4 start, they’ve lost six of their past 10 games, and their poor defense has been exposed by the rest of the league. After Thursday’s loss, head coach Redick publicly criticized his players for their lack of effort and execution, accusing them of not caring enough.
To make matters worse, Austin Reaves, who has arguably been on the verge of superstardom this season, will now miss at least four weeks due to a Grade 2 gastrocnemius strain. He recently missed three games with a strained left calf, and he also missed the second half of Thursday’s game with left calf soreness.
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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wired: Kendrick Perkins says Lakers should be bold in bringing in LeBron James
