LeBron James is heavily invested in making sure that the current NBA season will come to the expected end. A league MVP will be picked and the postseason games will be played. Then the 2020 NBA Finals showdown will push through and the series winner will own the Larry O'Brien trophy.
In all those scenarios, James will be in the thick of things. He came to Los Angeles to pick his fifth NBA ring and this campaign opens the door wide for such an eventuality. And while the MVP race appears to favor Giannis Antetokounmpo, the debate rages on that James could snatch the honor away from the Greek Freak.
James is playing one of the best seasons of his life and what could happen in the end will impact his legacy. But now, things are hanging in the balance due to the coronavirus pandemic. The games are halted and likely there will be questions that will be left unanswered if the season is scrapped eventually.
For safety's sake, the idea is acceptable, James has made clear. However, the Lakers superstar said there will be no closure for him if the NBA will opt to end the season now.
"I don't think I'll be able to have any closure if we're not able to finish the season," Clutch Points reported James as saying.
And he was quick to add that despite his reservations, public safety is of paramount importance. It has to be the chief consideration when the time comes that league officials have to decide on whether to let the games resume and continue with the business or just void the interrupted campaign.
To be sure, a restart will favor James. Amazingly, the NBA icon is playing at the top of his game and there is no assurance he could muster the same energy for next season. But more importantly, he's looking at clinching his first title win with the Lakers and to come with that, the likelihood of pulling an upset in the MVP race.
NBC Sports put it appropriately by saying: "No player has more stake in finishing the season than LeBron."
The latest word from NBA commissioner Adam Silver is that a decision on the matter cannot be made until May. But as the same report indicated, the league will likely favor a restart soon and for obvious reasons - it will be good business.
"The NBA should resume with a lead-in then the playoffs for this season. The postseason is too lucrative to cancel. Even if it means disrupting future regular seasons, it'd be worth it," recommended the report.
So if the situation permits, it would seem that the NBA will press the go button even if it would mean playing games without the fans. Then James will no be left dealing with endless what ifs.
