The addition of Luka Doncic provided the Los Angeles Lakers with enhanced ball-handling capabilities, in comparison to the more physical contributions of Anthony Davis. However, this also demanded a change in roles within the team, which included LeBron James. NBA legend Charles Barkley recently shared his thoughts on the matter.
“I gotta get LeBron a lot of credit, because he has accepted the role of being a finisher instead of a starter,” Barkley said on TNT, with NBA icons and current analysts Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith by his side. “That’s a really big deal.”
Chuck then elaborated on James’ adjustments, highlighting the key changes in his game since Doncic’s arrival in Los Angeles. “He’s catching a lot of fast breaks,” Barkley explained. “Normally, he would wait on a ball and try to be like a post forward.”
The 1993 NBA MVP also weighed in on Doncic‘s role in this shift. “Luka is not gonna be the guy who will be running on the wings and finishing fast breaks.” he said, before continuing to praise James’ adaptability: “Give him a lot of credit because he was the one who was gonna have to make the adjustment… He has adapted, he’s like, ‘You know what? Luka is gonna be starter, I’m gonna be finisher.’”
Charles Barkley
Barkley on LeBron’s physical condition
Barkley also discussed LeBron James’ absence from the Lakers’ games against the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks. “I just hope he survives,” Barkley began, adding a touch of sarcasm. “He wasn’t gonna play anyway. LeBron’s probably out for the rest of the season. I don’t see him coming back,” Chuck later said, before joking: “He stayed in New York cause it was New York, and he didn’t want to go to Milwaukee because it’s Milwaukee. That’s why he flew back home.”
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The Phoenix Suns legend concluded by making it clear that James has a clear focus at this moment. “LeBron is gonna get healthy for the Playoffs. That’s the best situation for the Lakers,” he said. “But come on, stop acting like, ‘Six games in eight days.’ Come on, man, stop. Every NBA team plays a lot of games.”
The Lakers miss LeBron
The Los Angeles Lakers had been on an impressive winning streak in recent weeks, which propelled them to second place in the Western Conference. However, they have now suffered three consecutive losses and dropped to fourth, overtaken by the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies.
The first of those losses came with LeBron on the court against the Boston Celtics, though that defeat could be expected. However, without James, the Lakers were unexpectedly outplayed by the Brooklyn Nets and clearly overpowered by the Milwaukee Bucks.
