It was all looking so promising for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
This was back on Christmas day at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Ticket prices were through the roof — reports of $1,000 (U.S.) nosebleeds on the secondary market. And the Lakers appeared like a team on the rise. Despite losing James to a third-quarter groin injury, L.A. cruised to a blowout win over the team that’s won three of the past four NBA championships. After what seemed like a landmark victory against an elite opponent, with L.A.’s win-loss record boosted to 20-14, everything seemed possible.