LeBron James struggling to adjust to games in ’empty gym’

The Los Angeles Lakers star is still getting accustomed to playing in an empty gym

The NBA season was put in serious danger of not continuing in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic hit North America. But commissioner Adam Silver had the idea of holding a 22-team season restart inside a bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The enclosed environment has worked out tremendously, as there have been no positive COVID-19 cases. However, if there’s one complaint amongst players, it’s playing in front of zero fans.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James spoke about the lack of fans in attendance following the team’s 116-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, saying it will take some getting used to. After making that statement, James let everyone know that he dearly misses having fans watch him play live in-person.

“I don’t think I played in an empty gym for a game that really counted,” James said, via Bleacher Report. “I definitely love playing in front of the fans. The fans are what make the game. Without the fans, I wouldn’t be who I am today. To all the fans out there that come watch me play, I miss you guys and hopefully someday I can get back to that interaction.”

Having no fans in attendance is the new normal

The Lakers have clinched the top seed in the Western Conference, but struggled inside the bubble. They are 2-4 at Disney World and are coming off their third-straight loss.

In five games played in Orlando, James has averaged 21.6 points and 6.4 assists, which are down from his regular season average (25.4 points, 10.3 assists). But, James has upped his rebounds average in the seeding games (9.6) and field goal percentage (52.6%).

James and the Lakers will eventually get through the acclimation period and get used to the pumped in crowd noise inside the empty gyms in Disney World. Let’s not forget that James has shown throughout his career that he always ups his game once the playoffs begin. So having no fans may have little to no impact on him.

Don’t worry, LeBron, everyday life will eventually return to normal once we all come together to defeat the coronavirus.