When does LeBron officially shut it down for the year? 20 games left? It will be an All-Time black spot on his career if he misses the playoffs entirely with another Top 50 all time player next to him.
Sadly the back end of the West is putrid, there is a real slap fight going on for the 10th spot and a chance at the playoffs, we're looking at a team with around 50 losses making the play in game.
I could see him starting to platoon, play only every couple games, knowing that regardless the Lakers will still have a shot at the playoffs.
Between the T'Wolves, Clippers, Lakers, Pelicans, Spurs and Kings there will be two teams in the actual playoffs. A pretty sorry bunch.
As a Suns fan, I just want to avoid the T'Wolves in the first round. I have no doubt that we would smoke them... but I also have no doubt that Patrick Beverly will make it a personal mission to knock either Paul or Booker out of the playoffs.
If this was 3 or 4 years ago I agree that LeBron would be pondering a real nasty umm... uhh... calf... strain? That would put him out 2 months.