NBA Releases 2022 Playoffs Commercial Without Featuring LeBron

The NBA playoffs are always an exciting time for players to prove their place in a competitive sphere. For fans it allows them to see their favorite athletes on the biggest stage in their careers. There are clear superstars that headline the playoffs every year and are consistently featured. Recently, the NBA released the 2022 playoffs commercial and left out LeBron James while mentioning other stars in the league.

LeBron James has been to the playoffs in 15 out of the 19 seasons in the league. He has led his team to the finals 10 out of the 15 playoff appearances, eight in a row from 2011 to 2018. Each time he has been in the playoffs his team is at the forefront of conversations about winning it all. However, it looks like the run could end for LeBron as the NBA has chosen other stars in their promotional video for this year's playoffs.

The commercial had past superstars like Reggie Miller, Clyde Drexler, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and highlights of Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson. As for current stars the NBA chose to feature Darius Garland, DeMar DeRozan, Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, Ja Morant and Luka Doncic. At the same time it showed highlights of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, James Harden, and Devin Booker.  

All the teams of the current stars are more likely to make the playoffs and/or at least the play-in. Currently, the Lakers are in the 11th seed and would technically be out of contention for the playoffs. That might explain leaving LeBron out of the commercial, which for a guy leading the league in scoring, can't do much to help it. Nonetheless, the playoff will start on April 16th with or without the Lakers and LeBron, who might use this commercial as fuel for making a final run. 

photo credit: Chuck Cook-USA Today Sports