The Los Angeles Lakers are on a roll right now, winning six straight and playing their most complete basketball of the season. Despite the surge, a narrative has begun to form during LeBron James' recent absence, and it's an idea that doesn't sit well with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul.
“I hate to keep talking about the Lakers, but we have to… But you hear all this crap about the team being better without LeBron James. I've never seen a team in my life be better without LeBron James… but neither is this team because of all the things you just said,” Paul said on the Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman. “I think it's more important to figure that out, and sometimes you have to take a little longer because, for a guy who's had the ball for so long, how do you keep him off the ball? But obviously you put him in the corner because that's supposed to be a second-side action, but that might not work there… but you also need to It takes a while to figure it out, and you also have to understand or take his presence into consideration. You have to realize something. Most people who step on the basketball court with LeBron, if they don't pretend to be bigger than everyone else, would be in awe of James, number one.”
The timing of this debate coincides with Austin Reeves stepping up offensively to help the Lakers win while LeBron is injured. But as Paul pointed out, the adjustment period, especially getting a player like Luka Doncic to gel with James, always takes time.
Now, things seem to be going smoothly.
LeBron has tended to play a more flexible role, allowing the likes of Reeves to initiate more offense while still commanding the attention of the entire court. The result is a more balanced Lakers roster that looks increasingly dangerous as the playoffs approach.
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