Growing Scrutiny Around LeBron James’ Impact on the Lakers’ Early Season Performance

As the NBA season continues to unfold, the Los Angeles Lakers remain one of the league’s most closely watched teams. With a roster featuring LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves, expectations were predictably high. Yet despite respectable results in the standings, a growing number of analysts and fans are questioning whether LeBron James’ presence is actually helping—or quietly hindering—the team’s success.

The debate intensified following a stretch of games that raised uncomfortable questions about lineup effectiveness, defensive effort, and the narrative surrounding James’ return from injury.

A Strong Record Without LeBron

One of the most striking statistics early in the season is the Lakers’ record without LeBron James. While James was sidelined, Los Angeles posted an 11–5 record, a winning percentage that suggests the team was not only competitive but stable. Ball movement appeared smoother, defensive rotations sharper, and player roles more clearly defined.

During this stretch, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves emerged as the team’s offensive engines. Dončić orchestrated the offense at an elite level, while Reaves consistently provided scoring, playmaking, and energy on both ends of the floor. The Lakers beat teams they were supposed to beat and remained competitive against stronger opponents.

This context makes the discussion unavoidable: if the Lakers were winning at a high rate without LeBron, what exactly changes when he returns?

The Record With LeBron: Context Matters

On paper, the Lakers’ 6–2 record after James’ return looks impressive. However, critics argue that the raw numbers mask important context. Several of those wins came against teams near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, losses occurred against opponents the Lakers had already beaten earlier in the season—most notably the San Antonio Spurs, whom Los Angeles defeated when James was inactive.

The contrast has fueled the argument that James’ return has coincided with a decline in cohesion rather than an improvement. Critics note that the team appeared more fluid and decisive offensively when the ball was consistently in Dončić’s hands, rather than oscillating between multiple ball-dominant players.

Examining the Losses Without LeBron

Defenders of James often point to the losses during his absence as evidence that the Lakers still need him. But a closer look complicates that narrative.

One loss came against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that opened the season with a dominant record and has overwhelmed nearly every opponent. Expecting a short-handed Lakers squad to defeat the Thunder may be unrealistic.

Other losses came in games where Luka Dončić did not play, including defeats against Portland and Boston. In those contests, the Lakers were missing not only Dončić but also key rotation players such as Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt. Removing those games from the evaluation paints a very different picture of the team’s performance without LeBron.

When Dončić and Reaves shared the floor, the Lakers’ losses were minimal—limited to a season-opening loss to Golden State and the aforementioned Thunder game.

Austin Reaves’ Expanding Role

One of the most consistent themes emerging from the Lakers’ early season is the impact of Austin Reaves. Reaves has quietly become one of the team’s most reliable contributors, often serving as the second-leading scorer and, at times, surpassing Dončić in efficiency.

Beyond the box score, Reaves’ hustle has stood out. He consistently fights for rebounds, pushes the pace, and stays engaged defensively. In contrast, critics argue that James frequently disengages when calls don’t go his way, leading to transition breakdowns and temporary four-on-five situations.

Film breakdowns from recent games highlight several possessions where Reaves creates opportunities through effort, only for those possessions to end unsuccessfully due to missed shots or lack of follow-through from teammates. These moments have fueled the perception that Reaves is doing the “dirty work” while others benefit from the results.

Defensive Concerns and Effort Questions

Perhaps the most serious criticism directed at James involves defense. While his offensive résumé is beyond question, observers argue that his defensive engagement has become increasingly selective.

James is often assigned a floating defensive role rather than guarding a specific player, a luxury rarely afforded to others on the roster. Even then, critics note that he frequently fails to rotate or contest shots, especially when frustrated with officiating.

In multiple games analyzed this season, the Lakers have lost sizable leads with James on the floor, only to regain momentum when he sits. While correlation does not always equal causation, the pattern has become difficult to ignore.

Load Management and Scheduling

Another point of contention is James’ availability. Despite a relatively generous schedule featuring multiple days off between games, James has continued to miss marquee matchups. His absence against teams like Milwaukee has drawn criticism, particularly given comparisons to past eras.

Michael Jordan famously played extensive back-to-back games even late in his career. While today’s league prioritizes player health more aggressively, critics argue that selectively sitting out high-profile matchups undermines competitive integrity—especially for a player often described as the greatest of all time.

Media Narratives Under Fire

Much of the frustration surrounding this debate is aimed not only at James but at the media coverage surrounding him. Critics argue that mainstream analysts routinely deflect blame away from James while scrutinizing his teammates more harshly.

In recent commentary, some analysts have suggested that the Dončić–Reaves pairing “doesn’t work,” implying that Reaves should be moved. Yet the on-court results suggest the opposite: the pairing was effective, efficient, and winning games.

The reintroduction of James into that dynamic appears to have altered roles, reduced confidence, and disrupted flow—yet that possibility is rarely explored in mainstream discourse.

The Bigger Picture

None of this erases LeBron James’ historic career or his occasional standout performances. On certain nights, he still delivers elite scoring and playmaking. But critics argue that those nights have become exceptions rather than the rule.

Outside of those performances, James is increasingly reliant on cherry-picked layups, uncontested alley-oops, and moments of opportunistic scoring. The concern is not that he is ineffective, but that his overall impact no longer justifies the allowances made for him defensively and structurally.

An Uncomfortable Question

The central question facing the Lakers—and those who cover them—is no longer whether LeBron James can still play. It is whether his presence, as currently constructed and managed, elevates the team more than it constrains it.

Basketball is a rhythm game built on trust, effort, and defined roles. When those elements are disrupted, even star power cannot compensate. As the season progresses, the Lakers will need to confront these issues honestly if they hope to contend at the highest level.

Ignoring them may be the most costly decision of all.