Los Angeles Lakers: Is Charles Barkley right about LeBron James?

(Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron James has made progress on how to play with the best player he’s ever had in his career. 

LeBron James now is in a position that one of his best friends, Dwyane Wade was when he came to Miami years ago.

The Heat was dealing with the same issues that the Lakers are now with multidimensional superstars. Wade knew that he had to step back a little because he knew that LeBron had a certain shine that would make the team successful. When Wade made that decision, the Heat went to four straight Finals and won two championships.

If LeBron is a student of the game, he needs to call his friend for pointers on this. The Los Angeles Lakers have to run the offense through Davis for a chance at the NBA Finals. Sure, James said that the offense would run through AD in the offseason, but unlike in previous seasons, he can’t renege in the middle of the season.

For the last two games, it looked like LeBron tried to make a point to get AD in rhythm to set the tone. Against the Hornets, he looked passive. Against Memphis, LeBron had a much better balance.

James scored 23 points and dished out eight assists. But while Anthony Davis was setting records left and right, LeBron gave support on the defensive end and running the floor hard.

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What does this show? Leadership and willing to buy into sacrificing on defense. For the first time, LeBron James got off the plane to sign his contract, he is playing outstanding winning basketball for the Lakers. You don’t need analytics and stats to see that James is playing well here. You see it by the little things that send a message to the Laker Nation that he is engaged and wants to win.