Create another glory or the cliff falls? Deeply analyze James final role in the Lakers in the new season

Translator's note: The original text was published in SSR, and the data in the text were as of the time of the original text (September 26th local time). The date and time involved are local time

Basketball is a digital game. We try to put the sport in a specific situation and use advanced data to better understand what has happened, but at the end of the day, teams who score more points win.

LeBron James is unique when looking at pure numbers only.

Let's start with the number 23. This is the jersey number he wore most of his career, both a tribute to Michael Jordan and a symbol of the impossible standards he must face. Now, the number 23 also represents his upcoming 23rd season.

In the nearly 80-year history of the NBA, no player has ever played for such a long time. Other players close to this record, such as Vince Carter and Dirk Nowitzki, were no longer as brave as they were in that stage. Carter could only sit on the bench at the time and averaged 5 points per game. Nowitzki is not much better either. He played in 51 games and averaged 7.3 points per game.

, and LeBron was still selected for the NBA All-Series last season, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game.

However, LeBron is still gradually declining.

His rebounds and assists are still above his career average, but game videos won't lie. The more you watch his game, the more you can see the shadow of LeBron in the past, but you can also find that he is no longer as brave as he used to be. His jumping power is no longer as good as before. The "Akron Tomahawk" has dunked fewer and fewer times, and the days of getting close to the top of the rebound on the top of the head are also a thing of the past.

On the defensive end, he can still reach his upper limit if he has to. But his lower limit is embarrassing, far from him in the era of the Heat Big Three.

Once upon a time, the focus of discussion was on what LeBron needed to do to lead a team to the championship. Now, the topic of discussion has become how to relieve him of more responsibility and hand over the team's key to Luca Doncic.

Nevertheless, LeBron has not started his farewell tour. In fact, he probably chose to leave before that day arrived.

So, what can we expect from this "King of Eternity"? What realistic expectations can we have for this already accomplished "Son of God" enters his final season of his contract, and probably his last time in Los Angeles?

What will be his best condition?

For more than 20 years, LeBron has been a loss-making deal. James proved time and time again that just when you thought he was not good, he was the one who turned his opponent upside down.

Now that Luca has now been confirmed to be his partner, this may be the last great opportunity for LeBron to compete for the championship. Maybe this will rejuvenate him, and he will continue to coach Luca and lead by example to set standards for the team to prepare for the championship level.

LeBron will continue to maintain his All-Star level, playing at the NBA All-Squad level, and with his outstanding performance, leading the Lakers into one of the top four in the Western Conference and one of the most dangerous teams.

Play for another year under the system of head coach JJ Redick. If the team strives to make LeBron play more without the ball, maybe he will get more three-pointers out of the phone.

Redick never hides his love for long shots, and with his recent early contract renewal, it is clear that his basketball philosophy will be the future direction of the Lakers.

Last year, LeBron shot 37% from three-pointers. If he could replicate this efficiency and might even return his long shot to 40%, that would be ideal.

On the defensive end, he has highlights, but overall, his performance is basically qualified. When important games come and the stakes are at stake, he will not be a burden to the team on the defensive end.

With Luca taking on a heavier offensive load and Austin Reeves' step forward, LeBron can better preserve his physical fitness and adjust his rhythm, even in the games he plays. Now, it's more like a luxury sports car, you only let it drive at full power on special days, rather than a scooter that you drive until it's scrapped every day, just change it's oil, and occasionally make tire shifts.

LeBron is already 40 years old, but his performance is not as good as his age. However, his age factor is still to be considered when discussing his playing time and rest, and the Lakers are also seeking a balance between keeping him in shape and preparing for heavier workloads during the playoffs.

After all, the Lakers are not a perfect team, but one thing you can trust is LeBron's contribution. For most of the season, fans were excited about him being on the team, and in many games that should have been lost, it was LeBron who stood up at a critical moment to help the team turn defeat into victory.

What would be his worst condition?

The cliff-like slide appeared. Whether it is age, future uncertainty, lack of desire to win, or both, LeBron's performance has never been so bad. His defensive level plummeted, and no matter how the outside world discussed it, in the regular season, he seemed to just want to deal with it and stop standing up to meet the challenge.

On the offensive end, his scoring ability is still stronger than most, but he can no longer break into the penalty area as easily as before. Therefore, he relies more on mid-range jumpers, and his efficiency in this area is mixed.

This trend has gradually emerged. In terms of shooting within the three-point line but not near the basket, LeBron's shots have increased from 502 in the 2023-24 season to 598 last season.

His three-pointer performance is OK, but not a strong point. Now, LeBron scored 30 points in a single game is a celebration and uncommon thing. By the end of the season, the question became more about whether the Lakers wanted him to stay, rather than whether he wanted to return himself.

With James' contract coming to an expiration and various questions about the future, this may be the end of this historical superstar. LeBron stayed for one more year.

Now, he did not fade out with a backward jump shot, but ended in disgrace.

What is his most likely role in the team?

There was a lot of discussion before about Anthony Davis taking over the Lakers, but this never really happened. This may be the first season in LeBron's career to retreat to the second line.

Even if he really retreats to the second line, don't expect him to have a sharp decline, LeBron is still a three-threat scorer, his physical condition is amazingly good, and his performance in the Olympics and last season clearly shows that he is still one of the most dominant players in the game.

It can be predicted that he will be a starter, a star, and the worst is the second best player in the Lakers. LeBron will remain a big part of the team’s success, and they can only go further in the playoffs if he is ready to go into battle in April, May and June.

As for all the Lakers' concerns this season - outside defense, substitute scores, center performance - James is not among them.

LeBron's performance has always been stable. He is one of the most competitive, self-disciplined and hardworking players of the sport ever. Waiting to see him fall? Let's go in line. That expectation has been accumulating since he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2002, and he is still at the center of the league.

He still has influence, not because of those sensational remarks, nor because his fame exceeds his strength. LeBron is important because when you are on the list of the best players in the league today, you can’t write a few names and have to include him in it.

This has been the case in the past 22 seasons, and it is predictable that this will not change in the 23rd season of the 23rd.

Author: Edwin Garcia

Translator: GWayNe

source:trực tiếp bóng đá 7m