The Los Angeles Lakers appear to function far better without LeBron James than with him on the floor. The numbers support that conclusion. With LeBron in the lineup, the team holds a 14-10 record, while during his absence early in the season due to a sciatica injury, the Lakers posted an 11-6 mark, a contrast that has fueled debate about his current impact.
James, now 41 years old, no longer possesses the same speed or vertical explosion he displayed years ago. That reality is hardly surprising. The passage of time has inevitably created physical limitations that make him look older alongside younger players who surpass him in quickness and leaping ability on a nightly basis.
These shortcomings are most evident on the defensive end, and they have not gone unnoticed by figures with past or present ties to the NBA. One of them is former player Rashad McCants, who recently highlighted the issue by sharing a video as supposed evidence that LeBron no longer plays at the same pace defensively.
Rashad McCants and his harsh criticism of LeBron James
McCants took to social media to post a clip that, in his view, clearly exposes the defensive deficiencies James is showing in his 23rd season in the league. He accompanied the video with the following caption.
Eye in the sky never lies!!!!!
In the footage, Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara easily shakes LeBron, who was guarding him, before quickly sliding behind him from left to right.
James was unable to react to the movements of the 25-year-old Trail Blazers player, who went on to score three points and extend the lead at that moment to 104-118. This sequence was where McCants placed particular emphasis, arguing that the Lakers’ No. 23 no longer provides the defensive leadership expected from him on the court.
This is not the first time the former NBA player has aimed sharp criticism at James.
Portland forward Toumani Camara drilled a 23-foot three-point jumper with 6:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was the way he scored that put LeBron James’ defense under the scanner. The Belgian star was marked by LeBron, but was able to slip behind him from the left side to the right.
LeBron James’ agent does not take the criticism too seriously
It is unusual to see James performing at such low defensive levels, although those struggles have become more pronounced this season. For that reason, Rich Paul has attempted to downplay the situation involving his client.
Even in LeBron’s case, people get on him about the defense today, but we’ve seen it. If you have to depend on a 41-year-old, you’re in trouble, anyway.
What cannot be denied is that the weight of the years is becoming increasingly evident, and perhaps the time has come for him to consider retiring from the NBA. His best years are behind him.
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