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Why LeBron James should not play center for the Los Angeles Lakers

By Kevin Germany

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 02, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 02, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Jan 2, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) controls the ball in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) controls the ball in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: LeBron James is unstoppable on offense at center

The Lakers are one of the worst offensive teams (23rd in offensive rating!) in the NBA. LeBron James has carried the team ever since he returned from injury, averaging 35.4 points and 6.8 assists per game in his last five games.

Putting LeBron at center opens up the court, forcing defenders to guard him individually near the basket. Posting up LeBron like a center is much easier when he is actually playing center. He can either dribble past traditional centers or overpower undersized forwards in the post.

The Lakers are 3-1 in their last four games with LeBron at center. His post-up game has finally been unleashed after it was dormant for far too long.

"“He’s not wrestling so much and there’s more space for him to be a roller,” Vogel said of James. “There’s just a lot of positives to that and can we get away with it against certain matchups on the other end? Obviously when AD comes back, he’s gonna play a lot of minutes at the five and then we can play the smaller lineup as well. So it is a direction I think that we’re taking our team and so far we’re having some success with it, but we got to keep getting it better.”"

(h/t LakersNation)

LeBron’s interior presence also opens things up for his teammates. Malik Monk has been on a tear due to the improved spacing on the court. Monk has solidified his spot in the starting lineup for the rest of the season, averaging 20 points per game while shooting well over 50% from the field.

Playing LeBron at center has greatly improved the Lakers’ offense so far. A five-out offense creates a lot more space for LeBron, Monk, and Westbrook to attack the basket.