Klutch Sports co-founder and agent Rich Paul said on Mar. 17 that he does not believe the Los Angeles Lakers are a better team without LeBron James, addressing recent debates sparked by the team’s six-game win streak, some of which occurred while James was sidelined due to injury.
The discussion about the Lakers’ performance without James gained traction after Austin Reaves returned to form during the winning streak. Some observers pointed to statistics suggesting the team might be more effective in James’s absence. However, Paul dismissed these claims during his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman.
“I hate to keep talking about the Lakers, but we have to… But you hear all the nonsense about the team being better without LeBron. I never seen a team in my life that would be better without LeBron James… Still this one not either, because of all the things you just said. I think it’s more so about figuring it out and sometimes it takes you longer than not because, for a guy that’s been on the ball for so long, how do you play him off the ball? But then obviously you’re putting him in the corner because that’s supposed to be second side action, but that may not work there… But it also takes you a while to figure it out and you also have to understand or factor in his presence. You gotta realize something. Most guys that step on the basketball floor with LeBron James, number one, are in awe if they’re not trying to pretend like they’re bigger than somebody else. If they’re not putting on an act, per Oscars,” Paul said.
Paul argued that players need time to adjust their roles when playing alongside each other and noted that injuries and limited court time between key players such as James, Reaves, and Luka Doncic have slowed this process for the Lakers.
Recently, James has taken on more of a supporting role while Reaves has assumed greater offensive responsibilities. This adjustment appears to have helped improve team performance as they prepare for potential playoff success.
James described a recent win over the Houston Rockets as feeling like playoff basketball due to its defensive intensity despite offensive struggles.
