After two decades of being the King of the NBA, can LeBron James really thrive as a role player?
The Los Angeles Lakers are 43-25, which has them in prime position for a playoff run. They are currently the third seed and have won nine out of their last 10 games. The noise around the Lakers that they can’t get it done versus the top teams has subsided, as they have notable wins against the Rockets, Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Knicks during their current six-game win streak.
Lowest Usage Rate in LeBron’s Career
To contextualize, LeBron has finished top 10 in usage rate in 18 different seasons, with seven of those inside the top five. That level of offensive responsibility defined his legacy. But, the volume that he gets the ball in his hands has decreased over the years. According to NBA.com, over the last three seasons, he’s ranked 27th, 21st, and now 42nd in usage percentage.
You can see that shift clearly in his numbers. Before the All-Star break, LeBron was averaging 22 points and 7.1 assists. Post-break? That’s down to 18.6 points and 6.5 assists. Over the last seven games, he’s taken 15 shots or fewer each night, which is the longest stretch of his career. Something that was almost unheard of eight games ago.
Fitting Perfectly
LeBron is still averaging over seven assists and scoring efficiently when needed. At first glance, you might think he’s falling of, and in a way, he might be. He is 40-years-old. But not in the way people assume. Even at his age, he’s still one of the most impactful players in the league. He’s just doing it differently.
Now, most of his energy is spent in an off-ball, do-it-all role. This shift has allowed him to impact the game beyond scoring including defensively, as a connector, and as the ultimate “glue guy.” He’s operating in the dunker spot, cutting, running the floor, crashing for loose balls, including putting it all on the line against the Nuggets with a dive for a loose ball — a signifying moment by LeBron of the Lakers’ recent success.
It’s Okay LeBron, We Got This
LeBron has let Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves carry more of the scoring load. That duo is combining for 56.7 points per game, with Luka leading the league in usage rate and both him and Reaves ranking top 20 in PER.
With the offense running heavily through Luka and Reaves, it frees LeBron to pick his spots and elevate everything else; an adjustment that has allowed Luka to average a scintillating 37.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game amidst this six-game win streak. Reaves has also been incredible, averaging 25.3 points per game in that same span.
Flipping the Script
All season, the concern has been the Lakers’ lack of perimeter defense; the team ranks 20th in defensive rating overall. But over the last 10 games, they’ve turned things around: sixth in defensive rating, first in opponent threes made, first in opponent three-point percentage, and second in points off turnovers.
That’s not a coincidence.
This isn’t about decline, it’s more about sacrificing for the greater good. At the perfect time, this team is starting to understand its roles. With their collective experience on the biggest stages, that could make them a serious problem come playoff time.
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