An upside to missing the playoffs is an early vacation for LeBron James.
The Lakers star is enjoying some R&R in the Maldives with his wife Savannah days after he vowed to never miss the postseason again following the Lakers’ losing season.
James, 37, appeared to be in better spirits Sunday in an Instagram Story posted by his wife that showed him the dancing to Pharrell’s “Gust of Wind.”
James, who appeared to be holding a bottle of his Lobos tequila, showed off his moves at the couple’s private villa at the Four Seasons that overlooks the beach and Indian Ocean.
While watching the playoffs from home Friday, James tweeted, “I can/will NOT miss the post season again for my career! This s–t HURT. Ok back to watching these games.”
James has missed the playoffs twice since he joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018. The only other times he’s missed the playoffs in his 19-year career were his first two seasons with the Cavaliers in 2004 and 2005.
A number of factors contributed to the Lakers’ season-long struggles, including injuries to James, Anthony Davis and more key role players. Kendrick Nunn didn’t play all season, and Russell Westbrook struggled offensively on a new roster that couldn’t find chemistry on the floor.
James, though, played at an MVP-caliber level when he wasn’t injured. In 56 games, he averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game on 52 percent shooting.
But his effort wasn’t enough to help the 33-49 Lakers make the postseason. Los Angeles failed to make the play-in tournament, and their season ended after a 146-141 overtime win against the Nuggets earlier this month.
LeBron James has missed the playoffs four times in his 19-season NBA career/The Lakers officially parted ways with head coach Frank Vogel on April 11, the same day James addressed his upcoming contract extension in his end-of-season press conference.
“The conversation hasn’t been talked about technically because of the [NBA’s] collective bargaining agreement,” said James, who turns 38 in December. He is up for a contract extension on Aug. 4.
“I came here to win a championship but I want to win more … I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish … but I want to do it again,” James added.
