For the first time since 2005, neither Stephen Curry, eliminated with Golden State in the play-in, nor LeBron James and Kevin Durant, swept away in the first round with the Lakers and Phoenix, appear on the program for the conference semi-finals.
NBA Playoffs: Murray and Denver eliminate Lebron James' Lakers in the 1st round (video)
Perhaps the sign of a page in history which is slowly turning for these three captains over 35 years old, whose early vacation will serve above all to define the contours of their end of career. Curry and Durant, whose current contracts run through 2025, are expected to remain on their respective teams. But surrounded by who? The failure of this season will impose a big questioning on both Golden State and Phoenix. Two teams whose association of big names did not lead to the expected results.
Stop or still for LeBron James?
As for LeBron James, his future is written in big dotted lines. At 39 years old, the King still has a $51.4 million option for next season with the Lakers. If he does not lift it before June 29, he would then become free on the market. Rich Paul, his historic agent, sees him playing two or three more years in the league. According to some sources, the Lakers would even be ready to offer him a lease at the maximum rate of $164 million over three years. While considering the idea of recruiting Bronny James, registered for the next draft (June 16 and 27). LeBron James has never hidden that one of his final dreams would be to play alongside his son in the NBA.
My family and Team USA are my first concerns.
After a regular season averaging 25.7 pts, 7.3 rbs and 8.3 ass, it's hard to imagine LeBron James opting for retirement while still being as dominant. After the elimination against Denver in the playoffs, he did not want to give any clue. “Honestly, I just want to be with my family. After my family, in two months, I have to go to Vegas for the preparation for the Olympics, so I have to rest my body for Team USA. These are my first concerns.”
Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards for the first time in the 2nd round
Far from this type of consideration, two young stars are taking advantage of the playoffs to continue to assert themselves. For the first time in their careers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25 years old) and Anthony Edwards (22 years old) reached the second round of the OPs, respectively taking Oklahoma City and Minnesota, the two great surprises of the season in the Western Conference .
Although more inexperienced at this stage of the competition, the two wingers manage to make up for it with a nice dose of carelessness which allowed OKC and the Wolves to achieve a flawless performance in the first round of the playoffs. Oklahoma City, the team with the youngest average age in the NBA, also became the youngest team in history to win a playoff series. “There is a difference between age and maturitynuance Mark Daigneault, elected coach of the year following the first place won by OKC in the West at the end of the regular season. We have a mature and committed team. I learned not to underestimate my team.”
Where will this take them? OKC was helped by the injury of Zion Williamson in the ranks of New Orleans. The test promises to be tougher in the next round against the winner of the series between the Clippers and Dallas. As for Edwards and Minnesota, after humiliating the Phoenix Suns and its trio of superstars, they attack Denver, defending champion and big favorite.
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