He scored 36 the game prior, 34 in the preceding game, and 31 in the game before that. James dropped 39 points against the Nets on just 25 shots. A more honest read would underline the fact that they were down 23 in the fourth quarter to begin with, getting waxed not just by James Harden, but Patty Mills and, on occasion, the likes of Bruce Brown and DeAndre’ Bembry.Īs has often been the case of late, the greatest indictment came from LeBron’s spectacular play. A generous read would highlight the fact that the Lakers came back from 23 down in the fourth quarter to tie it in the final minute. Even a Lakers team working without Anthony Davis was at a decided situational advantage, and yet managed to lose anyway to drop their fifth straight game. That was on full display in the Lakers’ Christmas Day showcase-a would-have-been statement game sapped of its stakes by the fact that the visiting Nets had seven players (including Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving) out due to COVID protocols, and another key role player (Joe Harris) out with injury.
It’s the damnedest thing no superstar in the league comes with a clearer, more defined winning blueprint than LeBron, and yet nearly two decades of precedent hasn’t stopped the Lakers from constructing and running the kind of team that consistently works against its own best interests. With almost half the season already behind them, the Lakers still haven’t figured out how to be a LeBron James team.
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