2 weeks Ago By Dan Coombs, NBA Analysis Network
LeBron James has yet to put up a big statement offensive game in the NBA Playoffs, leaving the big splashes to Luka Doncic. The LA Lakers were forced into an immediate mid-season pivot with their dramatic trade for Luka Doncic . Rob Pelinka’s recent praise of Doncic highlighted what an unmissable opportunity it was, but with Anthony Davis and Max Christie traded away, there were defensive holes opened up on the team.
Unexpectedly, LeBron James has played a role plugging those gaps, with his size necessary in certain situations given the Lakers’ lack of it. LeBron’s extra defensive work is opening up more opportunities offensively for Luka Doncic , although it is an evolving situation, game by game, and potentially series by series. Rachel Nichols praises LeBron James’ quick transition NBA reporter Rachel Nichols believes LeBron James deserves credit for making a switch he has never really been able to make, during his 22 years in the NBA, and extended earlier than that too.
This is the notion that LeBron is not the most important offensive player on the team, a situation that has never truly happened before. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Nichols noted how LeBron was prepared to make a switch with Anthony Davis over time, but it did not happen that way. She explained: “Slip into a 1A kind of role and let the younger guy do most of the work and still be the savvy guy, the guy who always knows how to defend if he has the energy to, all the things leadership that LeBron brings to the table.
“And it never, frankly happened. LeBron was always clearly the alpha of that team.” With Luka Doncic traded to the LA Lakers , she noted how a gradual shift happened immediately, with LeBron James immediately handing over the keys to the team to the newly acquired superstar.
“This time, not only is Luka clearly, clearly, sort of the point of the spear for the Lakers, it happened in a day. “And I do think it’s kind of interesting that what was supposed to be sort of a gradual, multi year transition happened with a phone call and a trade, and all of a sudden, LeBron James has a very different role than he’s literally ever had before on any NBA team he’s ever had to play for. “And I think part of him likes it and I think part of him is still probably adjusting to it a little bit.
” Nichols’ comments certainly place LeBron James’ challenge in proper context, highlighting how he and the Lakers have had to completely shift up mid-season, and with success, landing the third seed in the Western Conference . LeBron James sensible to adjust LeBron James and Luka Doncic are still searching for a statement game together, where they both explode offensively. That is yet to happen and may not be able to happen given the current make-up of the Lakers team, which is lacking a top class center .
While it has been a shift, it was a necessary one at this stage of his career, LeBron James should not be carrying the team at 40-years-old, and if he was, it would have been a failure on the part of the team construction. Now finally LeBron has a young superstar with the personality and skill level to take over, who LeBron clearly has the highest respect for. Can they adjust quickly enough to win a NBA Championship together this season? Right now they are in the mix, and playing it out.
Long-term, the decision for LeBron to scale back is smart. This can extend his career, while also making Luka Doncic feel at home, ensuring he commits to the team long-term after 2026. This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.
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