LeBron James hit with reality check as Lakers ride 3-game losing streak
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It’s clear that LeBron James, who is trying to find his place in the Los Angeles Lakers’ offense this season, is not the same player he was two years ago, let alone five.
James added 36 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 20, 23 points against the Phoenix Suns on December 23, and 18 points against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. However, the Lakers lost all of those games, and James’ plus-minus numbers got worse with each game. He was minus-33 in Los Angeles’ 119-96 loss to Houston.
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Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell (R) speaks in defense of Zach LaVine (8) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Center on February 24, 2016. (Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)
Sam Mitchell, a former NBA forward who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers and also coaches in the league for the T’Wolves and Toronto Raptors, said this week: SiriusXM NBA Radio I don’t think James, who is about to turn 41, might not even be the Washington Wizards’ No. 1 option at this point.
“That’s what LeBron doesn’t understand. That’s not fully understood,” Mitchell said. “No matter what team you go to, you’re the third option. You don’t go to a team where you’re the first option anymore. If you go to the Washington Wizards, you’re still not the No. 1 option.”
The Wizards have the worst record in the NBA, tied with the Indiana Pacers.
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick (R) talks with LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, December 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who was particularly disturbed by his team’s performance against the Rockets, claimed on Saturday that James was starting to become a problem offensively.
“We haven’t been as organized offensively since we got Bron back. We don’t have a lot of random possessions. That’s my responsibility. It’s three things: defensive clarity, role clarity and offensive organization,” Redick said.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) tries to take a shot while being guarded by Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
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The Lakers are 19-10 on the season and have lost six of their last 10 games.
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