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Washed in the sense that he's done being an arguable top 10 player and closer to top 30 (i know, thats not really washed)

Athletically, he cant get a step on people and he looks visibly tired 80% of the game. If his step back 3 isnt falling, he cant do anything in the half court.

Has it finally happened?

Yes, but he’s 40. He’s been overrated in recent seasons.

He plays alongside a guy who is arguable top 5 in the league; his salary consumes a huge part of the Lakers cap, crippling them from becoming competetive. He produces empty stats on offense while refusing to cross half court on defense most of the time (faking pain, injury or just arguing with the refs).

My question is - can you make any rational case how his salary is justified? Did the lakers sell out to sell tickets and jerseys, accepting their mediocricy and betraying their fans, by signing him and bronny?

He hasn't been top 10 for a few years now, only making third team All NBA, based more off reputation than actual production.

He's definitely slowly declining, but I'm very impressed he can still put up all-star numbers and dominate offensively at this age. Dude is still averaging nearly a triple double and his percentages are solid. If you look at his stats closely his points per game are down but he's taking less shots and his assists are up. He could still average 27-28ppg if he wanted to.

His defense the last 2-3 years has definitely declined at a more rapid rate.

No, but he obviously isn't close to the same player he once was. LA is asking him to play too much, a 40 year old shouldn't be leading the team in minutes. Cut his minutes down, give him some games off, and ask him to crank up the defense. He's clearly saving himself for offense but it's become too much. It used to work at times, but now he's having to hold too much back to do his thing on offense. Last night he made some mental mistakes though on those TOs.

Fewer minutes + rest would maximize his impact. 40 year olds need something different.

he's washed in terms of, people think having LeBron James on a team means they are championship bound when he hasn't been championship bound for a few years now.

Rust_Cohle wrote:Yes, but he’s 40. He’s been overrated in recent seasons.

Not overrated

His regular season production might be worse

But those guys' production dips in the postseason. LeBron's production goes up. That's when he's still been top 10

Buckeye-NBAFan wrote:

Rust_Cohle wrote:Yes, but he’s 40. He’s been overrated in recent seasons.

Not overrated

His regular season production might be worse

But those guys' production dips in the postseason. LeBron's production goes up. That's when he's still been top 10

lebron is quite crummy against teams who are +.500 especially this year. He did have a good playoffs last year but he’s not top 10 in the league last year either

TheGeneral99 wrote:He's definitely slowly declining, but I'm very impressed he can still put up all-star numbers and dominate offensively at this age. Dude is still averaging nearly a triple double and his percentages are solid. If you look at his stats closely his points per game are down but he's taking less shots and his assists are up. He could still average 27-28ppg if he wanted to.

His defense the last 2-3 years has definitely declined at a more rapid rate.

True, but at this stage, the question would be, "to what end"?

Decline is bound to happen, the question is whether him and the team can adjust to maximize him and the teams effectiveness.

We got a different definition of washed. Is he not his prime self? Obviously but he's still a top 20 player in his worst days who can turn into a top 5 guy during his best days.

Not necessarily washed, but I believe we might be witnessing a rapid decline. He looks gassed and is tied with the most minutes played for the Lakers.

He should be playing 28 mins or so, but he is still better than their reserves.

DonaldSanders wrote:No, but he obviously isn't close to the same player he once was. LA is asking him to play too much, a 40 year old shouldn't be leading the team in minutes. Cut his minutes down, give him some games off, and ask him to crank up the defense. He's clearly saving himself for offense but it's become too much. It used to work at times, but now he's having to hold too much back to do his thing on offense. Last night he made some mental mistakes though on those TOs.

Fewer minutes + rest would maximize his impact. 40 year olds need something different.

The issue I have with what you're saying is that we're paying him $48M this year and $52M the next. If you're going to be paid like a top player, you have to have top player production and minutes to make the contract worth it.

If he took a decent paycut like Brady did while he was playing, it would be different story

he's finally taken a significant decline, for his standards

Deivork wrote:he's finally taken a significant decline, for his standards

I think a lot has to do with the offense. It’s not catered to him so he has to find ways to be impactful.

We will see how long this lasts. But in another offense, he could easily put up 25/8/6 and lead to the same amount of wins and playoff success.


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If by washed you mean not being able to be the best or second best player on a championship team, yeah he's been washed for a few years now. He's still a good player though, just not good enough to win with as one of the main pieces

Name 20 teams where LeBron would be their best player. If you can do that, he's still Top 10.

Tor_Raps wrote:We got a different definition of washed. Is he not his prime self? Obviously but he's still a top 20 player in his worst days who can turn into a top 5 guy during his best days.

This is not obvious at all. He's now in that 10-40 range that holds a lot of the leagues top talent. Is it obvious that he's still better than a guy like D.Fox? I dont think so

4 games without hitting 20 points despite taking the most shots on the Lakers during that span.

Dalton Knecht should be the 2nd option behind AD. At this point, Lebron should be a 3rd option as a full time PG taking around 10 shots per game.

Yes. Just based on the eye test. His dunks are barely grazing over the rim now... missing em in warm ups. Hes obviously at a very different stage physically.

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