Should Lebron Retire Already?

Lebron has earned many nicknames throughout the years - "King James"; "Rushmore"; "the Demoralizer" - some good, others not so flattering.  It is those latter realities - his humanness so to speak - that has put him in the undesirable position of being an aged, albeit skilled player that any team could use, but none can afford.

WHO WANTS LEBRON?

The problem with being great is that it seldom lends to humility.  Let's be frank - Lebron James is the best all-around player in NBA history.  He may not be as dominant as were the likes Shaq, Wilt and Kareem.  But he can literally play the 1 through 5, unlike anyone else who's ever graced the stage.

That's in addition to James, even going on a quarter century(!) in the league, remaining immensely popular.  I agree with Kendrick Perkins, that there isn't anyone currently poised to take over as 'the face of the league'.  You got players out there like Wemby and Ant-Man(?), neither of whom, you know what I'm saying?  Jokic is supposed to be like the best player, followed by dudes like Luka and SGA, but none of them niggas have swag.  Even Giannis, like he's cool, but you know what I mean?

Lebron isn't exactly Mr. Swag himself, not compared to his face-of-the-league predecessor, Michael "MJ" Jordan.  LBJ isn't exactly what you would call pretty.  But he's been so dominant for so long, like who can deny him?  Dude is averaging a half-triple double, even in his 40s.

So going back to who wants Lebron, I could imagine that every team in the NBA wouldn't mind having him, if not for one caveat.  And that, dear reader, would be the fact that he (now) sucks on defense - and as the seasons creep by is only becoming more aged in that regard.  Father Time can be defeated so to speak, but you still have to respect him.  Like niggas reach a certain age where you don't want to be chasing around whippersnappers anymore, not like as part of your job type shit.

The mainstream media is only now grasping that fact, that aged Lebron doesn't play defense for shit, but this is a discussion we've already been having for years at NBA Inception.  That's in addition to LBJ insisting to play out of position.  If he played more like an actual four - even a modern-day one - i.e. being able to function more off the ball, Lebron would sitll be invaluable, offensively at least.

But as it currently stands, if you were to put him on, say, the Thunder, if James played more than like 15mpg, he would totally fuck up the flow, and so it would be on virtually any team who are contenders.  Ideally, LBJ would be running a second unit by this stage in his career, or be surrounded by young dudes who could mitigate his defensive deficiencies.  Even at this age, he'd be the best sixth man in the league.  But again, it'd have to be a team who's second unit actually needs a leader, because you can't ask Lebron, after all these years of doing his thing, to suddenly become a role player.  Like you can't even ask him to come off the bench; he'd have to agree to do it himself.

HOW MUCH IS LEBRON WORTH?

Then comes the question of pay.  If Lebron were, say, on the Pacers - a team that's just taking up NBA space so to speak - and making $50+ million, then it's all good, because he would be the main draw, and they don't have any realistic title aspirations.  But on a squad that's actually trying to win it all - any squad, including Cleveland - earning that much makes him liability because, that's money that can be used for someone(s) who plays offense and defense.  Meanwhile, you can't ask him to play on any team that isn't a contender.  You can't like ask Lebron to go and play for the Magic, no matter how much they could pay him.  The days of LBJ being able to go on any team and instantly make them contenders are long gone.

And imagine, say, Lebron going back to the Cavs, salary reduced, while someone like the Beard is being paid the max.  Imagine Lebron on any team and not being the highest paid player.  There's only a handful of players he could humble himself to like that - Mitchell, a perennial all-star in his prime, maybe, but not the Beard.  I can't even see SGA making more money than Lebron if they were on the same team.  In the business world, when it comes to contracts and shit like that, we're supposed to be compensated based not only on our current performance but also past accomplishments.

So Lebron, arguably the G.O.A.T., can't bow out of the game like Vince Carter or CP3, on that veteran's minimum shit.  WTF for?  Is he broke?  Does he want to get at least one ring before he retires type shit?

CONCLUSION

I was the first one, at the beginning of this season - before any of these media dudes or the Cavs or even James himself jumped on the bandwagon - who suggested that Lebron should go back to Cleveland.  This was due to him, finally for the first time in his career, being on a team with a player who's inarguably better.  And I'm not saying that Luka, another defensive liability, is literally better than Lebron type shit.  It's more like young Luka is better than old Lebron.

Also, the implication when I made that suggestion was that LBJ would go back to Cleveland understanding that he'd be playing a reduced role, that Mitchell, Mobley and even the likes of Garland would have precedence.  It was more on some emotional boost type shit, after that sorely-disappointing postseason they had last year - to push them over the Haliburton hump so to speak.  But now that they've gone out and got Harden, like who wants to see him and Lebron on the same team at this stage in their careers?  This past All-Star Game also verified something I've been saying for years, that (professional) athletics is a youth game.

So yeah, LBJ should just call it quits already.  Go as hard as you can this coming offseason, but after that, like give it a break already.  Leave the game before it leaves you to type shit.  It would have been cool if you went back home this season.  But if the Cavs flunk again this coming postseason - as I'm confident they will - reacquiring Lebron next season, especially at some inflated price, would not be the solution. 

NBA Power Stinking (Early Feb. 2026 Review)

Since I skipped last month's Power Stinkings, I wanted to try to wait 'til the All-Star Break - the de facto midpoint of the season - to get this latest post off.  But instead it's like, let's get this last one done before the trade deadline, so I can at least make another bold prediction or two before a number of teams more or less seal their fates for this year.

1.  SACREMENTO KINGS (13-36)

The Kings very much deserve to be at the top of the Power Stinkings.  For one, they now have a worst record than even the Wizards or Pelicans.  Second is that their roster, on paper, is or was more talented and deep than half the other squads out there.  So it's obvious their issues aren't just relegated to the players but rather how this organization is being run or whatever.

I feel sorta bad for DeAndre Hunter getting traded into this mess. He went from being stuck on a middling squad to a brief stint with a contender to now being employed by one of the most ass-backwards franchises out there.

And speaking of trades, let's hope that Westbrook is able to find his way outta there also, preferably to a contender.  He's a real interesting case, inarguably one of the most-talented to ever play the game - but so good that he doesnt' work well with others.  If basketball were a solo game, the ScapeGOAT would've won a number of rings by now.

2.  NEW ORLEAND PELICANS (13-38)

Similar to the Kings, the reason the Pelicans don't deserve any love is because, you know, this isn't supposed to be a tanking year.  At the start of last season, New Orleans had arguably the (second) best starting five in the league (on paper), and they also entered this current one with promise.  How quickly it all has dissolved, and you don't even hear about Zion Williamson anymore.

In order for Zion to get his previous standing back of being almost the most-exalted player in the NBA, he'll have to absolutely dominate, which it appears he never will.  It would have served him better if, from the beginning of his career, he would have been allowed to play more along the lines of a traditional PF instead being forced into a point-forward, wannabe-Lebron type.  Now, he's even less-appealing trade bait than a couple of rookies on the team.

Remember when Zion and Ja were considered to be the most-promising young players in the league?  Things can change fast in the modern-day, injury-ridden NBA.

3.  WASHINGTON WIZARDS (13-35)

The Wizards trading for Trae Young and then deciding to like rest him for the season, I don't know if I agree with that.  That's that betrayal-of-fans' shit I've been talking about.  Niggas is paying the price of admission, so give them a good show, even if you are garbage.  I'm not saying that the current roster isn't entertaining, but it wouldn't hurt for this team to field, you know, a player with like name recognition.

I feel sorry for a vet of Khris Middleton's caliber being stuck on this squad, but that's the kinda shit that sometimes happens when you demand to be overpaid into perpetuity.  The good news though is that is #1 Khris is making over $30mil even though his team sucks, and #2 he'll probably be brought out, which will create a real interesting scenario in terms of what team he lands on.  Maybe, if Giannis sticks around, he can even end up back on the Bukcs.

4.  BROOKLYN NETS (13-35)

The Nets suck, but at least expectations were low entering this season, so it's not like anyone is surprised or disappointed.  What doubly sucks is Porter Jr. not even making the All-Star team.  People like to say 'anyone can score 20 points playing for a garbage team'.  Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of players on these types of squads never achieve that average, which, you know, is one of the reasons why such squads suck to begin with.

5.  UTAH JAZZ (15-35)

It's been a long time since I've heard anything, good or bad, about the Jazz, and the sad thing is that the braintrust probably wants it that way.  Last season they tanked in an attempt to land Cooper Flagg, and now you see why you're never supposed to tank no matter what, because a losing culture can persist just like a winning one.

6.  MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (18-29)

The Grizzlies are another interesting case of a geniunely bad team, i.e. one who, as far as we know, entered this season at least expecting to make the Playoffs.  This Ja Morant situation as metastasized into a shitstorm, i.e the team's star player who, depsite not being what he used to, they need him in order to win yet are forced to move on for personal reasons. Everyone involved is tired of losing type shit.

I blame it on the braintrust, because the squad they had a few years back - with the likes of Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones and Xavier Tillman and what's his name and even the more recently-bounced Desmond Bane - like those dudes seemed like they really, you know, loved each other type shit.  That's the kinda chemistery that money can't buy, and, even if dudes never did reach the promised land, the braintrust should have tried a lot harder not to allow that kind of dynamic to be broken up.  You can't have a core of like American whiteboys and Europeans and expect shit to get crunk on the sideline.

So now, who knows when this team will become relevant again.  No disrepect to the likes of Zach Edey, Santi Aldama or even Jackson Jr., but no fan is going to break their neck to watch this team play.  And that, dear reader, is the power of a Morant.

7.  MILWAUKEE BUCKS (18-29)

The person I feel most sorry for in this sitatuion is actually Myles Turner.  Remember that he spent a deadass decade with the Pacers, more or less stabbed the franchise in the back to play with Giannis, and now is more or less forced to play without Giannis.  And man, do the Bucks suck without him.

Giannis is arguably the best player in the NBA (depending on the construction of your team), who's style could mesh with any roster.  Every team these days prefer the fast, semi-organized style, and it's like Giannis was built for these times.  And sorry if I can't spell his last name type shit.

The point being made, going back to the acquisition of Turner, is that if Milwaukee does give dude up, you know, we don't want to hear no rebuild type shit.  Giannis is a generational talent, so wheover they get back in return, unless he's traded for draft picks, needs to make an immediate impact.  Meanwhile, the prevailing word on the streets is that he will in fact be traded for draft picks.  So once again, it's a sad day in the career of Myles Turner, as far as the potential of him finally winning a ring is concerned.  And that's why sometimes, you know what I'm saying?  Stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to.

8.  INDIANA PACERS (13-36)

The thing about the Pacers, yes, record-wise these dudes suck ass and arguably deserve to top the Power Stinkings.  But last season, when they made the deadass Finals, their core consisted of Siakim, Turner and Haliburton.  Tyrese is hurt, and Myles bounced as a free agent.  And the point being made is that would you expect any team, after losing two of their three best players yet getting nothing in return, to actually stay competitive?

That answer is definitely no, if you're the 2025-26 Indiana Pacers.  So now it's like, when is it going to be safe to start calling these dudes flukes again?  That playoff run from last season was truly some fairytale shit, never-ever to happen again anytime soon. 

9.  DALLAS MAVERICKS (19-30)

You know a team is lucky (in the Adam Silver-sense of the word) when they suck but still are one of the most must-watch in the league.  And the reason we must watch, dear reader, is because of Cooper Flagg, who finally though not delayedly(?), is coming into his own.  And you have to admit that for a whiteboy, he's relatively entertaining.

But dude won't be a rookie forever, and eventually, to maintain this type of popularity, you have to start winning.  Just as Morant or Williamson.  I know dudes still sell a shitload of jersey, but you know what I mean.

It seems like Dallas' braintrust (as well as the media) finally got incepted, slowly but surely accepting what I've been saying all along, that dude shouldn't be forced to play out of position.  Now, they're even saying that they should rebuilt around him, and why not?

This curent iteration isn't going to win shit, and better to start now before Flagg turns into a Giannis or a diva who demands victory.  I'm also looking forward to Kyrie coming back, but it's very much possible that his style won't mesh with Cooper's.  This is going ot be interesting, because what other team is even willing to pay top dollar for the likes of Davis or Irving these days?

10.  PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (23-27)

I haven't really been following the Blazers, as it's rare these days I read beyond the headlines, and, you know, they seldom make headlines.  Most recenlty, what I heard is that they've been performing unexpectedly well.  But oh shit, I just checked the standings, and they're on a five-game losing streak.  So I guess it's like back-to-earth in Portlant.

One bit of good news is that they've sent someone, Deni Avidja, to the All-Star Game, like the first Blazer to acheive that accolade since the days of Dame.  And at the very least, it looks like Portland will make the Play-Ins - young, hungry but not quite OKC-ish.

11.  ATLANTA HAWKS (24-27)

Age factors aside, this current iteration of the Hawks being able to get rid of Young and replacing him with McCollum sounds like good business to me.  The only downside is that maybe Trae had more of a lockerroom presence, you know, like morale type shit.  'Hey guys, y'all play better without me, but still, go out there and kick ass'.  But by this point, he was no longer needed on the court, and McCollum is by far one of the better 2-guards in the league.

Whether or not that'll expeditiously translate into winning is another matter.  Team sports can be a funny beast, and sometimes,when dudes are like unexpectedly winning, you need to just leave shit alone rather than making changes.  'Our star player was hurt, but now he's healthy, yet the team is winning without him'.  Then leave his ass on the bench.  Like you see what happened in OKC.

'We just acquired a borderline allstar and need to get him into the mix immediately'.  No you don't, not if niggas is winning.  But that said, I'm totally expecting (or hoping) that this team will mesh post-Trae, and CJ, finally being (on a quality team) in the Eastern Conference, will represent.

12.  CHICAGO BULLS (24-26)

The Bulls started the season as one of the hottest teams in the league, have since come back down to earth big time, and now seem to be sorta balancing out between those two opposites.  I agree that they're one of the squads who should be mnost aggressive in seeking an upgrade, but outside of maybe Josh "the Snub" Giddey and another-maybe Vucevic, like who else does on this roster does other squads really want anyway?  Coby White has made a name for himself, and so has Buzelis, who's but a youngster.  But who's going to trade a top-level superstar for those guys?  Chicago would more realistically be in the Morant (as opposed to Giannis) sweepstakes, though you obviously wouldn't want to force Giddey out of the point.

13.  ORLANDO MAGIC (25-23)

I'm still holding to my contention that the Desmond Bane trade was overrated (by pundits).  Remeber when niggas was like 'oh, the Magic are contenders now. They got Desmond Bane!'  LMAO.  Fuk was you talking about?

Currenlty, they don't appear to be any better than they were the last couple of seasons - perhaps even worse.  And as I've been saying for years, dudes need to focus more on the post, though I guess now, theoretically they're just one player away.  But knowing this braintrust, they'll probably go after a six-foot G rather than the C they need.  And speaking of which, it'd be interesting if Morant could make his way over to reunite with Desmond, though without Orlando losing any of their big three in return.

14.  MIAMI HEAT (27-24)

Even though it's hard at times, I still believe in the Heat and am glad to see that they've established a winning record.  This team has a balanced roster, coupled with an exceptional brainstrust and winning culture, so sky's the limit.  

15.  LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (23-25)

Let me repeat that Kawhi Leonard is one of the best players in NBA history.  He'll make the Hall of Fame and all that kinda shit, but the reason Kawhi is not recognized for how great he truly is is due to personality and familial issues.

That said, don't sleep on the Clippers.  Since the onset of the season they got rid of some dead weight (no offense to anyone), which they could afford since the roster was overstacked to begin with.

I'm also happy to hear that John Collins, one of the most undervalued players in the league, has apparently found his fit next to Leonard and the Beard.  Speaking of which, I honestly thought that Harden would be washed up by now.  But I guess it's more like, you know, he's one of those chucks who just needs the right supporting cast.

The Spurs Having OKC's Number

The Spurs apparently have OKC's number.  This is where, if you're a team like the Thunder, the NBA rigging in your favor becomes important.  And relatedly, this is also why it's imperative to have at least one hands-down superstar on your team.  You know, not just someone who's really good but a player who fans across the board want to win.

Every perennial champion or contender is going to have at least one team they simply can't beat, whether that team is also contenders or not.  That's been true going back at least to the 1990s.

The 1998 Bulls for instance couldn't hang with the 1998 Lakers, even before Kobe truly found his footing.  I remember Jordan and co. also had what looked like issues with the early-1990s' Nets, a relatively garbage team but one likewise replete with quality players who were younger (and faster) than the Bulls core.

The Lakers have also had problems with faster teams, even going back to the Kobe + Shaq championship days.  J.J. Redick finally admitted, indirectly, that LAL's core is too old and too white - something that we at NBA Inception understood since the time they traded for Doncic.  But this organization being unable to defend youth isn't anything new.  Derek Fisher used to always get burned by opposing star PGs.  The present-day Lakers have one of the most hardheaded braintrusts in the NBA, so again, you shouldn't realistically be expecting them to win a championship anytime soon unless, you know what I'm saying?  Is Luka really rig-worthy?

ARE THE SPURS CONTENDERS?

There's a difference between being able to beat a champion and actualy being a contender.  The conference playoffs have three rounds, meaning that even if San Antonio does luck out and face OKC, somewhere along the line there's two other teams they also have to beat before getting to the Finals.  And that's also presuming that the Thunder doesn't figure them out between now and then.

So I'm not in a rush to call these gusy contenders even though I'm glad there's at least one team out there has proven they can beat OKC.  The more interesting observation, in the grand scheme of it all, is that besides the Knicks and Nuggets, all of the other older teams in the NBA looked more or less washed.  But of course if you've been reading this blog over the past few years, then you knew this day was coming.

SHOUTOUT TO JALEN WILLIAMS

Something all star players should fear(?) is their team proving bettrer without than with them.  I know that isn't fully the case with Jalen, but you get what I mean.  You're looking from the sideline, watching your team go like 23 and 1 or some shit, and on one hand you're like 'wow, this is amazing'.  You're jumping out of your seat and cheering, as if you too are on the court.  But in the back your mind it's like 'what if they start losing when I come back?'

The NBA is a strange beast these days.  Predictability has, in large part, been thrown out the window.  Or rather let me say that dudes are now injured so often that, you know what I'm saying, you have to live with or without them.  And some teams learn to play better without a star player or two.  Wemby almost ended up there himself until, oh shit, the Spurs starting beating the Thunder.  Then it became obvious that even if they did having a higher winning percentage when he was injured, they aren't actually better without him.

CONCLUSION

Honestly, I don't want to see a non-superteam(?), you know, only lose like five game throughout the entire season.  When something like that happens, you know what I'm saying?  SGA isn't Jordan, like people don't want to see him winning all the time like that.  If he were Jordan, then Team Canada wouldn't be so garbage.  And when the Warriors only lost nine games, it's like with the roster they had, they should have won all 82.  So thank you Wemby and co. for at least making the NBA competitive again.  And as for the Thunder's braintrust, if you're looking forward to the benefit of rigging - which often separates champions from other contenders in the world of professional sports - then I suggest you like market your brand better or something.