LeBron James Got Absolutely Run Over by Bucks in Huge First Half Thursday

The NBA has been dealing with lingering viewership issues throughout the 2019-20 season, but the league was confident it had its solution in the form of the Los Angeles Lakers facing the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Many were psyched to see LeBron James face off against Giannis Antetokounmpo in a shootout. That was far from the case off the bat, however, as the Greek Freak outclassed James in the first half, based off the ever-important eye test...and the numbers.

First half stats showed that James was actually a hinderance to the Lakers while on the court, as he accounted for a -21 plus/minus rating.

LeBron was a game-worst -21 in the first half. Backs up the eye test, too.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) December 20, 2019

The horrendous plus/minus wasn't the only thing that stood out in the first half. James actually missed his first five field goal attempts, before finishing off with just 11 points.

If there was a positive, he did grab seven boards against Milwaukee in the first two quarters. Yay?

The Lakers trail 65-46 at the half. It's been ugly for them. Danny Green has 12 points and LeBron James has 11 after going 0-for-5 in the first quarter. Giannis Antetokounpmo has 16 points on six-of-11 shooting and the Bucks have 15 points from George Hill.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) December 20, 2019

LeBron James simply didn't look like himself in Milwaukee, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting on a show in front of his home crowd.

Maybe LeBron was wrong about the whole load management thing? Hey, it's working for Kawhi Leonard. You should consider it.