Part 3/14:
This narrative points to a broader discussion about race, leadership, and ego within professional sports. The Lakers' recent victories—most notably a close 118-116 win over the San Antonio Spurs without LeBron and Reeves—highlight a team thriving without its supposed "face." Whitlock warns that this success could threaten LeBron’s dominance and role as the unquestioned leader, pushing him toward a potential sidelining that he might resist because of perceived racial implications.