After scoring just 10 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds in the loss to the Suns on Thursday, Lakers star LeBron James had to address the media over concerns about his health. Despite the uncharacteristic game, James says he’s all good and that nothing has changed for him physically from when he started the season.
“I feel okay,” said LeBron on his physical state. “Mentally, it’s just another game. They played exceptionally well. We didn’t.”
Leading up to the New Year, LeBron James was having one of his best stretches yet as a Laker. But over the past few weeks, amid concerning play for the team, LeBron has looked out of sorts and the Lakers have been unable to recover. Tonight’s loss put the team back under .500 on the season and now there are some worries that the King is finally slowing down after 20+ seasons of greatness. With a game on Saturday against the Utah Jazz, the Lakers hardly have time to find answers before the next opponent steps up to the plate.
Worrying Signs From LeBron
Historically, nobody has been more consistent than LeBron James, and seeing him finish with just 10 points on 3-11 shooting was unusual, to say the least. He just wasn’t himself tonight, and it’s the latest bit of evidence that supports the claims of LeBron’s decline this season. Despite being mostly healthy this campaign, James’ stats are down averages of 25.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game on 52.6% shooting. His overall impact on the court has seen a noticeable dip from his prime years, proven by the fact that the Lakers have been mediocre with him in the lineup.
Unfortunately, this could be the beginning of the end for James’ best years in the league and it’s to be expected after 39 years and over 20+ seasons in the league. Now, the burden falls on the Lakers to either hold their cards and build toward the future or go all-in on one last championship run before LeBron’s career concludes. This season, at least, we know the Lakers planned to compete but this latest blowout loss against Phoenix was the wake-up call many fans needed to understand that this team isn’t going anywhere as presently constructed.
Help On The Way?
It remains to be seen what kind of moves the Lakers will make this season, but it’s only a matter of time before Rob Pelinka does something to shake up the roster. In the backcourt is where there is the most room for improvement. With Gabe Vincent injured and D’Angelo Russell slowly losing his place in the rotation, the Lakers have had to rely on Austin Reaves for production at the guard position. He’s been fine in a streaky season so far, but it’s been far from enough to carry the load.
Defensively, the Lakers have lost a major step, no doubt due to their lack of depth at center. Davis has moved to the role full-time this season but he’s playing 40+ minutes per night with nobody to back him up on the interior. Needless to say, reinforcements are required for the Lakers and it seems not even LeBron James is enough to carry the team to victory anymore.
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