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

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

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

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

Sam Mitchell, a erstwhile NBA guardant with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers who besides coached successful the league for the T'Wolves and Toronto Raptors, said this week connected SiriusXM NBA Radio that James, who is astir to beryllium 41, wouldn’t adjacent beryllium enactment No. 1 for the 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 the 3rd option. You’re not going to a squad erstwhile you’re the archetypal enactment anymore. If you went to the Washington Wizards, you would inactive not beryllium the No. 1 option."

The Wizards are tied for the worst grounds successful the NBA with the Indiana Pacers.

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

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Lakers caput manager JJ Redick, who was particularly upset with his team’s show against the Rockets, suggested connected Saturday that James is becoming a occupation for the 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: antiaircraft clarity, relation clarity and violative organization," Redick said.

Los Angeles Lakers guardant LeBron James (23) looks to sprout the shot arsenic helium is defended by Houston Rockets guardant Dorian Finney-Smith during the 2nd fractional 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 the play and person mislaid six of their past 10 games.

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