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.
随着季后赛渐行渐远，现在就来看看西区球队如何羞辱这位史上得分榜第四的LBJ，总计
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、开启季后赛模式：
全明星赛后不久，LBJ对外表示他将在比赛中“开启”季后赛模式的强度。不幸的是，西
区球队早在开季第一天，就已开启季后赛模式，并设定为球队全员备战冲击季后赛。
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、短暂低潮：
还在东区时，LBJ可能会有6场内输4场的短暂低潮，但却只会让球队从东区第二滑落到第
三，甚至排名根本没变化。同样状况放在西区，一旦遭遇短暂低潮，一个西区排名第三的
球队很可能就此掉出季后赛竞争行列。
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、西区全明星实力：
水准高出一截的西区各队，阵中从未缺乏竞赛中被认证的球星。LBJ在东区时，习惯了每
年只须面对西区各队2次。但是今年LBJ加盟西区，就必须遭遇各队每年4次这种高强度等
级的比赛。
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、西区垫底球队实力：
来到西区，唯一可以在比赛中占优势的球队是太阳。但即使如此，当家球星Booker也有能
力在你头上拿50分。考虑到这一点，与季后赛班次外的球队比赛，依然处于一夜就能变天
的混战。像是排名第9国王战绩34胜35败、排名第12鹈鹕战绩30胜42败、以及排名第14灰
熊战绩28胜42败，个个都不是能轻易取胜的球队，直到比赛终了的蜂鸣器响起之前，都必
须集中精神比赛。相较东区同样排名的球队，排名第9魔术战绩33胜38败、排名第12老鹰
战绩22胜47败、排名第14骑士战绩17胜53败，他们在东区季后赛的竞争中本季从未构成严
重威胁。前几年LBJ对上东区垫底球队，还能让他不必全力以赴应战。然而今年，这种机
会并不存在，西区垫底球队的比赛根本和西区前段班比赛一样难打。
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、年纪：
18-19赛季是LBJ职业生涯的第16年，这位34岁的球员并没有事先考虑到运动员生涯末期会
遭遇的体能下滑。除此之外，LBJ的实际年龄，也变动了更衣室气氛，让他与湖人年轻核
心群的关系更加脆弱。缺乏磨合的湖人，团队化学反应就会很低，加上LBJ这趟洛城之旅
总是不乏骚乱，这都对今年的比赛产生了负面效应。