LeBron James has been torching opponents year after year for the past two decades. At 40, the four-time champion is still making defenders look helpless. But as the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for another playoff run, one question lingers—can James still hold his own on defense?
One scout seems to think there’s a crack in the King’s armor, and it could be exposed at the worst possible time.
Anonymous Scout Questions LeBron’s Defense
As the Lakers gear up for the postseason, an anonymous NBA scout has raised concerns about King James’ ability to defend at a high level. Speaking to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the scout acknowledged James’ greatness but pointed to his defense as a potential weak spot.
“The thing with LeBron is he’s not going to foul; you can score on him with the right matchup,” the scout said. “With the right personnel he could be exposed on defense in the playoffs. He’s amazing, taking nothing from him, but it’s a worry.”
An anonymous scout says LeBron could be ‘exposed’ on defense in the playoffs
“The thing with LeBron is he's not going to foul; you can score on him with the right matchup. With the right personnel he could be exposed on defense in the playoffs. He's amazing, taking nothing from… pic.twitter.com/ZnjgNLnu5p
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 12, 2025
James is entering the playoffs in his 22nd NBA season, a staggering feat in itself. He and Luka Doncic are leading the Lakers, who secured the No. 3 seed, into what could be another deep playoff push. But with the grind of postseason basketball looming, questions about his ability to maintain defensive intensity have grown louder.
LeBron James is Still Elite But Showing Signs of Wear
LeBron James continues to defy Father Time. In the 2024–25 season, he is averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and one steal per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line.
But with the Lakers losing Anthony Davis, arguably their best defender—James has been forced to pick up the slack on the defensive end. That is a tough ask for anyone, let alone someone playing at such a high level in Year 22.
LeBron is still capable of reading plays, rotating at the right time, and even locking down certain matchups. However, there are moments when his foot speed is noticeably slower and he gets caught out of position—things that could be exploited in a long series.
The good news for Lakers fans? Their offense is one of the most lethal in the league. Doncic is averaging 28.2 points per game, and Austin Reaves is chipping in with 20.2. Even if the defense shows cracks, the Lakers might just have enough firepower to outscore their way through the postseason.
In their most recent game against the Houston Rockets, James posted 14 points, eight assists, and four rebounds—a modest night by his standards, but still impactful.
As the playoffs begin, all eyes will be on whether LeBron’s mind and experience can cover what age might be starting to take from his legs. The King is certainly not done yet, but the challenges ahead are real.
Great defense has to be team defense, not individual defense. LeBron plays in a professional basketball league, not a high school league. LeBron depends on the team communicating on defense. So stop it with individual defense. Team defense rules.