2 scorer in NBA history, on track to hit that this week. His effort on defense often reflects those emotional states, and a huge problem for the team is that other players take cues from how he’s leading (or not leading).Īnd yet on other goals, James still is on a firm march: He’s now just 104 points behind Karl Malone for overtaking the No. Like anyone, he feels overwhelmed, dispirited and upset by the bottom line. It’s common to see him staring at the sideline in frustration after the Lakers give up a basket, as if to gesture to the coaching staff or teammates that nothing is working.Īs much as he might want to signal otherwise, James is only human. James has been as guilty as anyone of not rotating, of watching opponents grab offensive rebounds, of not being in the right spot or challenging shots. James’ nightly performances have a bit of a split to them, especially if you’re watching the difference between his offensive effort and his defense. definitely helps, but it’s not the answer to all the questions.” “It’s going to be challenging for us,” he said. After the Suns demolished the Lakers on a night he scored 31 points, James was lukewarm about how much Anthony Davis’ return changes the calculus for the team – departing distinctly from how Coach Frank Vogel and Davis himself have talked about the potential of the group becoming whole again. Perhaps no one understands that as keenly as James, who lobbied behind the scenes for moves at the trade deadline. James’ career will be remembered far longer than this season – but it’s hard to separate the two while we’re still in the midst of a campaign that increasingly seems to be going nowhere. As he walked into his postgame press conference, he had the game ball commemorating the feat with a Sharpie and his signature, bound for his collection that is spread out through Ohio and California. And there’s no doubt that James is chasing them: On Sunday, he became the only player to have at least 10,000 career points, rebounds and assists. TRENDING TOPIC: We’re reaching the point in LeBron James’ career when only huge milestones lie ahead. It’s been a trend that the Lakers can’t close late, and it was especially disheartening that they couldn’t do it against a tanking franchise. Then Jalen Green and the NBA’s worst team by record torched their guests for 19 points in overtime, blowing the Lakers out of the water in a game they had every chance to grasp. LOW POINT: The Lakers’ first road win since January was well within their reach as they had a final look against the Houston Rockets in regulation – unfortunately Carmelo Anthony couldn’t bury them.
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