Free Republic

LeBron James is having a questionable week. First, the NBA star was called out by Colby Covington, and now he's dealing with a mysterious absence from the Lakers, apparently due to "fatigue." Only the Lakers brass know why LeBron took time off, while the rest of the fans concocted their own theories on what's happening. On Wednesday, Lakers coach J.J. Redick commented on LeBron James' absence from practice. He said James, turning 40 at the end of this month, was away from Lakers for "personal" reasons and that James is excused, as if the first-year coach had any other option....

LeBron James appears to be searching for answers as he steps away from the Lakers amid a worrying decline and swirling trade rumors. “LeBron is not with the team right now,” Redick told reporters while at practice on Wednesday. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.” James missed his first game of the season on Sunday against the Blazers — a 107-98 victory — after previously setting a goal to play all 82 in his age-40 season. Redick added that James would “take some time” after struggling mightily in his last few games, including an 0-for-20 stretch from beyond the...