LeBron James dropped 35 points and put in 9 rebounds along with 5 assists as the Lakers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 119-127 to become 21-20. This has been normal the past month. Even though the Lakers are struggling and are so far really below expectations, Lebron James has averaged the most points since 2009 with the Cleveland Cavaliers just to save the team. Not long ago he became only the third player over the age of 35 to record a 30-point triple-double in a win over the Orlando Magic . And on New Year’s Eve, one day after turning 37, LeBron James became the oldest player to record a 40-point double-double. Wow.
At the beginning of the 2021-2022 season after a disappointing, injury-filled 2020-2021 campaign, people were talking about the Lakers being champs once again, after LeBron signed an extension and the Lakers got key players like Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, plus Anthony Davis was coming back. But the Lakers started the season with a loss to the Golden State Warriors, and are in the slump since. The Lakers have appeared to figure it out with three or four game winning streaks, but they just can’t get a handle on how to use their talent. Davis got injured again to make matters worse. Many people blamed LeBron for the Lakers struggles, but I think LeBron is not at fault. Some evidence to prove my claim is LeBron is averaging 28.9 POINTS per game, the most since the year I was born, 2009. LeBron James has recently played the center position for LA, and it seems to be working. LeBron has recorded 30+ points in TEN of the last eleven games, with a couple of triple-doubles and double-doubles as well. In a game against the Grizzlies, LeBron got his 100th career triple-double. Wow. So Lebron is not doing anything wrong, who is to blame? I think it’s their coaching. The Lakers D is not good compared to their expectations. They have all the pieces they need to win a chip, but it’s about how they use their talent. The Lakers front office has not figured that out yet, but I can’t give them 100% blame because they have seen a lot of new faces this year.
Whatever the reason the Lakers are losing, it’s LeBron who is keeping them in the playoffs. LeBro can’t do everything, though, so the Lakers need to pick up the slack. If all the Lakers played as hard as LeBron does, they would be a lot better off than they would be.
