LeBron James is not exactly known for reduced offensive duties on the team. But the Los Angeles Lakers look unstoppable with the 41-year-old in a different role.
The new setup has clicked, with Luka Dončić leading the charge and the team sitting pretty at 50-26. With the Lakers in a flow-state, Skip Bayless, who has found creative ways to criticize James, shared a rather jarring observation.
Skip Bayless Credits LeBron James for Accepting a Reduced Offensive Role
After missing the start of the season due to injury, James returned to a completely transformed roster dynamic. For the first time in his legendary career, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was no longer the primary engine.
The Lakers secured their 50th regular-season win against Cleveland on Tuesday. The Los Angeles setup currently prioritizes using Dončić as the primary ball-handler. This new hierarchy means James moved into a secondary or tertiary position during half-court possessions.
While an unusual lack of spotlight for the 22-time All-Star, James has made it click. In the latest segment of Gil’s Arena, Bayless highlighted James’ willingness to accept a reduced offensive role as one of the key reasons for the Lakers’ recent fiery stretch.
Bayless praised the veteran forward for deferring to his younger teammates, “Not only is he embracing [the new role], but he’s been the key. They’re 10-1 since LeBron came back from those 3 games where everybody kind of wrote him off.”
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“And then he swallowed a lot of pride, even though he’s 41, and he came back, went to the corner, and played 3rd wheel. And I was impressed man, because that’s hard when you’re LeBron freaking James.”
No longer the focal point of his own offense, James has allowed Dončić to take over the reins in Los Angeles, demanding the ball and dictating the pace. With Austin Reaves stepping up as a lethal secondary scoring option, the 41-year-old has transitioned into a tertiary role with relative ease.
“He’s averaged since he came back, 18/8/7… It’s hard to swallow after you’ve been that guy for that long,” Bayless remarked. “It’s a role player role that he’s playing, and it works for them.”
But James’ changed role has not just benefited the Lakers. The new approach has coincided with Dončić putting up unbelievable numbers. The Slovenian is leading the NBA in scoring with an average of 33.8 points through 63 appearances, alongside 8.3 assists and 7.8 rebounds.
Despite the criticism of his defensive contributions, Dončić’s contention as a top-three candidate in the MVP race is undeniable. His numbers in March were the highest in franchise history for a single month, featuring over 500 points and 74 made three-pointers.
For the Lakers, Dončić’s numbers give them a stronger chance to possibly fend off the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder in their bid for their first championship since 2020.
