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The season may be over for the Los Angeles Lakers, with dashed hopes for a playoff run, but its star player is promising fans that the drought will one day end.
In an Instagram post, LeBron James asked his believers to remain patient and keep the faith that the Lakers glory days would return, ending the post with a praying hands emoji, two exclamation points and 100.
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Many fans had hoped this would be the year that the Lakers would end a five-year playoff drought once James officially became a member of the storied Lakers franchise. This faith in James did not come unwarranted — he has been on a playoff team every year since 2005, according to Complex.
But making the playoffs apparently wasn’t in the cards for the Laker show this year.
During the 2018-2019 season, James missed 17 straight games after he suffered a groin injury. He ended his season only playing 53 games, averaging 27.5 points per game. Without him on the court, it would prove too great a stretch for the Lakers to overcome.
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Last week, after the Brooklyn Nets ended the Lakers playoff hopes, LeBron discussed the season with CBS Sports, including his disappointment in the end result.
“Obviously, it’s been a tough season for all of us,” said James. “It’s not what we signed up for. Throughout the year, things happened – suspensions, injuries, things of that nature. And just not being able to play sustainable basketball for 48 minutes. But you don’t even try to wrap your head around it, you just keep pushing.”
James posted the IG message to fans afterwards. It shows he’s hopeful for upcoming seasons. And, so are his diehards.