Five Reasons LeBron James Misses the Eastern Conference
By Clinton Jackson, March 19, 2019
http://thesource.com/2019/03/19/five-reasons-lebron-misses-the-east/
As a Bron-less playoff becomes more of a reality, it's time to take a look at
five ways that the Western Conference has humbled the NBA's 4th All-Time
Leading Scorer.
隨著季後賽漸行漸遠，現在就來看看西區球隊如何羞辱這位史上得分榜第四的LBJ，總計
有5大原因。
1. Turning on the Playoff Switch:
Shortly after the All-Star Break, LeBron stated that his level of intensity
has been 「activated」 in regard to making a playoff push. Unfortunately,
the time to do that and set the team-wide tone to make the playoffs is from
day one in the Western Conference.
1、開啟季後賽模式：
全明星賽後不久，LBJ對外表示他將在比賽中「開啟」季後賽模式的強度。不幸的是，西
區球隊早在開季第一天，就已開啟季後賽模式，並設定為球隊全員備戰衝擊季後賽。
2. Losing Streaks:
In Cleveland, Bron and the Cavs could drop four of six games and risk only
sliding from the 2-seed to the 3-seed in the standings or not even losing
their spot at all. Using the same losing skid as above, a squad can go from
the 3-seed to falling out of the playoff picture with extreme quickness.
2、短暫低潮：
還在東區時，LBJ可能會有6場內輸4場的短暫低潮，但卻只會讓球隊從東區第二滑落到第
三，甚至排名根本沒變化。同樣狀況放在西區，一旦遭遇短暫低潮，一個西區排名第三的
球隊很可能就此掉出季後賽競爭行列。
3. Western Conference Star Power:
There is no shortage of certified ballers in the Western Conference that are
competing at a high level. When in the Eastern Conference, he was used to
facing each western foe only two times a year. But by joining the West, he
has to see this heightened competition four times a year.
3、西區全明星實力：
水準高出一截的西區各隊，陣中從未缺乏競賽中被認證的球星。LBJ在東區時，習慣了每
年只須面對西區各隊2次。但是今年LBJ加盟西區，就必須遭遇各隊每年4次這種高強度等
級的比賽。
4. Competition in the Bottom Half of the Western Conference:
In the West, the only team that can be played down to is the Phoenix Suns.
And even if you do, Devin Booker can easily drop a cool 50 points. With that
in mind, teams outside of the playoff hunt still compete on a night-in-night-
-out basis. Squads like the Sacramento Kings (9th Seed, 34-35 record), New
Orleans Pelicans (12th Seed, 30-42), and Memphis Grizzlies (14th seed, 28-42)
can't be slept on and will definitely steal a win if a focused effort isn't
given until the final buzzer sounds. Compare these teams and the level of
competition to their Eastern counterparts that are in the same position in
the standings. The Orlando Magic (33-38), Atlanta Hawks (22-47), and the
Cleveland Cavaliers (17-53) pose far less of a threat and haven't been serious
players in the playoff conversation throughout the year. So in prior years,
LeBron would have the ability to take his foot off the pedal when playing the
far more inferior opponents at the bottom of the East. This year, that
opportunity is non-existent and battles with the bottom half of the Western
Conference have to be taken with the same seriousness as the top half.
4、西區墊底球隊實力：
來到西區，唯一可以在比賽中佔優勢的球隊是太陽。但即使如此，當家球星Booker也有能
力在你頭上拿50分。考慮到這一點，與季後賽班次外的球隊比賽，依然處於一夜就能變天
的混戰。像是排名第9國王戰績34勝35敗、排名第12鵜鶘戰績30勝42敗、以及排名第14灰
熊戰績28勝42敗，個個都不是能輕易取勝的球隊，直到比賽終了的蜂鳴器響起之前，都必
須集中精神比賽。相較東區同樣排名的球隊，排名第9魔術戰績33勝38敗、排名第12老鷹
戰績22勝47敗、排名第14騎士戰績17勝53敗，他們在東區季後賽的競爭中本季從未構成嚴
重威脅。前幾年LBJ對上東區墊底球隊，還能讓他不必全力以赴應戰。然而今年，這種機
會並不存在，西區墊底球隊的比賽根本和西區前段班比賽一樣難打。
5. Age:
With the 2018-2019 season being James' 16th year in the Association, the
34-year old failed to factor in the eventual physical breakdown that every
athlete experiences at some point in their career. Aside from that, his
actual age makes locker room dynamics and a relationship with the Laker youth
core more delicate. And without that meshing, team chemistry is low and
turbulence has been a part of LeBron's journey in the City of Angels which
has negatively impacted their play throughout the year.
5、年紀：
18-19賽季是LBJ職業生涯的第16年，這位34歲的球員並沒有事先考慮到運動員生涯末期會
遭遇的體能下滑。除此之外，LBJ的實際年齡，也變動了更衣室氣氛，讓他與湖人年輕核
心群的關係更加脆弱。缺乏磨合的湖人，團隊化學反應就會很低，加上LBJ這趟洛城之旅
總是不乏騷亂，這都對今年的比賽產生了負面效應。