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Los Angeles Lakers: Evaluating LeBron James in crunch time

By Ronald Agers

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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Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Monday night’s loss to the Timberwolves…

Another close game. Another loss. Jimmy Butler showed he was the best player on the floor in crunch time. He scores 15 points in the last frame on the strength of five three-pointers without a miss. He powered Minnesota to a record breaking quarter for three pointers. See? Klay wasn’t the only record breaker that night…

Again, LeBron James did not step up and try to stop Jimmy Butler. In this highlight, you see Rajon Rondo, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram trying to stop him. Where’s LeBron James? Where’s the competitive drive to say…ENOUGH! This is something that is not a stat. It can only be seen by the eye test.

People will probably read this and think that I’m bashing on LeBron James. That can be no further than the truth. Truth is I see winnable games that are not being snatched by a player that everyone keeps saying is the “Best player in the world”.

If that is the case, he needs to show it now! The young players for the most part have done what they can for the Lakers. They just have to keep the game close. When it is “Winning Time” like Magic Johnson used to say, LeBron James has to earn that money and close the deal for everyone. It’s what every Lakers fans want to see and deserve.

This piece about LeBron James and his inability to close out games. Can he? Sure, he ran through the Eastern Conference playoffs last year with buzzer beaters and he outlasted the Boston Celtics in the Conference Finals. Now he needs to do it on the west coast.

Bottom line, I said it before and I’ll repeat it again. Superstars close games. Who’s the closer for the Los Angeles Lakers? They paid LeBron James $154 million dollars to do it. Where’s the production? Stat sheets don’t win games. Leadership and coming through in the clutch does.

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For the rest of the season…watch the last ten minutes of the game to see if LeBron James takes the challenge in front of him…

I know I will.

The Los Angeles Lakers have started their long journey through the NBA season. Lake Show Life will be there every step of the way. Continue to check in for Lakers news, previews and reviews.