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Los Angeles Lakers: Evaluating LeBron James in crunch time

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

First game against the Portland Trailblazers 

Come on now…tell the truth! After watching this…

and this…

The Lakers were up ten points and the arena was rocking! I mean these guys were in Portland! I thought LeBron was going for forty points that night. But the only problem was the Lakers was down by three by the end of the first quarter.

When it got down to crunch time…here’s a excerpt from the post game…

"That is until the last eight minutes of the game. Lonzo Ball dropped a three to cut the Blazers lead to 101-100. This is what Magic Johnson called winning time. Only McCollum and Lillard had their Rolex’s on. They both combined to set off a 18-6 Portland run to put the game out of reach. They both combined to score 20 points in the 4th to lead the Blazers to victory. Anybody remember anything of note from James at this time? That’s the issue here."

Follow the trend here…Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum play through a sub-par game while getting it together late to lead the Blazers to victory. LeBron James did not take over and be aggressive like he needed to put the Lakers over the top.