LeBron James hit with harsh reality check as Lakers struggle: 'It hasn't sunk in'

It’s evident that LeBron James isn’t nan aforesaid subordinate he was 2 years ago, fto unsocial 5 years agone arsenic he continues to effort to find his spot successful nan Los Angeles Lakers’ discourtesy this season.

James scored 36 points connected Dec. 20 against nan Los Angeles Clippers, 23 points against nan Phoenix Suns connected Dec. 23, and added 18 points connected Thursday nighttime against nan Houston Rockets. However, nan Lakers mislaid each of those games and James’ plus-minus figures sewage worse pinch each game. He was minus-33 successful Los Angeles’ 119-96 nonaccomplishment to Houston.

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Minnesota Timberwolves caput coach Sam Mitchell (R) talks to defender Zach LaVine (8) against nan Toronto Raptors astatine Air Canada Centre connected Feb. 24, 2016. (Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)

Sam Mitchell, a erstwhile NBA guardant pinch nan Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers who besides coached successful nan convention for nan T'Wolves and Toronto Raptors, said this week connected SiriusXM NBA Radio that James, who is astir to beryllium 41, wouldn’t moreover beryllium action No. 1 for nan Washington Wizards astatine this point.

"This is what LeBron doesn’t understand. It hasn’t sunk in," Mitchell said. "Whatever squad you spell to, you’re nan 3rd option. You’re not going to a squad erstwhile you’re nan first action anymore. If you went to nan Washington Wizards, you would still not beryllium nan No. 1 option."

The Wizards are tied for nan worst grounds successful nan NBA pinch nan Indiana Pacers.

Los Angeles Lakers caput coach JJ Redick, right, talks to LeBron James during nan 2nd half of an NBA hoops crippled against nan Los Angeles Clippers Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, successful Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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Lakers caput coach JJ Redick, who was particularly upset pinch his team’s capacity against nan Rockets, suggested connected Saturday that James is becoming a problem for nan offense.

"Since we’ve gotten Bron back, we haven’t been arsenic organized offensively. Too galore random possessions. That’s connected me. It’s those 3 things: protect clarity, domiciled clarity and violative organization," Redick said.

Los Angeles Lakers guardant LeBron James (23) looks to sprout nan shot arsenic he is defended by Houston Rockets guardant Dorian Finney-Smith during nan 2nd half of an NBA hoops game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, successful Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

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The Lakers are 19-10 connected nan play and person mislaid six of their past 10 games.

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