"What more can he do man" - Lakers fans applaud LeBron James despite getting swept

LeBron James put in a valiant effort for the LA Lakers, hoping to avoid a series sweep loss against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. The 38-year-old turned back the clock with a 40-point effort, playing all but four seconds in an elimination Game 4 contest on Monday.

However, it wasn't enough, as the Lakers lost 113-111. James also had 10 rebounds and nine assists. Unfortunately, his night didn't end on a positive note after he missed the game-tying shot on the last possession.

James scored 31 points in the first half alone to give the Lakers a 15-point lead entering the break. However, the Nuggets overturned that deficit remarkably in the second half, outscoring the Lakers 36-16 in the third quarter to take a five-point lead into the final period.

LeBron James and co. fought hard down the stretch, tying the game with five minutes left and then again with just over a minute left. However, the Nuggets kept at it and held off LA to seal their maiden NBA Finals berth in franchise history.

Nevertheless, James' effort didn't go unnoticed among Lakers fans, who lauded him for his performance online.

One fan wrote:

"What more can he do man"

More reactions followed:

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LeBron James and LA Lakers exceed expectations in 2022-23 NBA season

LeBron James and the LA Lakers weren't expected to make the playoffs when the season started. They were 2-10 and had just a 0.3% chance. The narrative was simple: 'Put pieces around LeBron and AD that fit, and the Lakers will improve.' That's exactly what Rob Pelinka and the front office did at the trade deadline.

Despite not having valuable assets outside their two first-round picks from 2027 and 2029, Pelinka secured a deal for D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley, sending out the contracts of Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones, along with one lightly protected first-round pick from 2027.

The Lakers also struck a steal deal with the Wizards to acquire Rui Hachimura, the team's best bench player in the postseason. All four players played a crucial role at some stage in putting the Lakers in a position to become an unlikely title contender.

Despite playing around 10 games at full strength before the playoffs, the new-look Lakers made a resurgent run to the Conference finals. However, they could only push themselves so far. The Denver Nuggets, easily the best team in the West all season, were the better, consistent and fresher team, and as predicted they not only won the series but swept the Lakers in the end.

LeBron James played the playoffs with a torn tendon in his right foot. It was always going to be an uphill task to battle these issues against a solid outfit like Denver. Nevertheless, it's difficult to rule out the Lakers from being a legitimate threat from the get-go next season.

Their window is small, but they have a significant chance of championship success with better pieces around LeBron and AD.