ESPN insider Brian Windhorst suggests the Los Angeles Lakers play better without LeBron James on the court.
The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty of talent, but ESPN insider Brian Windhorst thinks the team might actually play better when LeBron James isn't on the court.
Los Angeles Lakers / Schedule
"When Luka, LeBron and Austin Reaves play together, they're just not a good team," Windhorst said Wednesday on First Take. "When it's just Reaves and Luka, the Lakers are an excellent team. When all 3 play, they're not. If you look at 100 possessions, when it's just Luka and Reaves vs all 3, it's a 20-point spread."
James' season has been productive individually. In 39 games played, he is averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game while shooting 49.9% from the field and 30.4% from three.
He missed the first 14 games due to sciatica. Austin Reaves was out from mid-December to early February with a calf injury, and Luka Doncic dealt with a hamstring issue, returning only after the All-Star break.
This combination of injuries and absences has made it difficult for the Lakers to find consistent chemistry, even with superstar talent on the roster, as they sit 6th in the Western Conference with a 34-23 record.
Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.