LeBron James is absolutely not getting the respect he deserves

LeBron James is still a superstar in the NBA by any definition of the word. Yet, the way some discussions around him circulate, it would have you believing he's a shell of his former self. That is not the case and that much was even proven by the Los Angeles Lakers superstar last season.

Granted, no one looks at LeBron anymore and sees the superstar who sustained a reign as the league's best player for a stretch few, if any, in NBA history could compare to. However, not viewing James as a top 10 player would be downright incorrect.

Jason Timpf was more than happy to point out just how great the future Hall of Famer still was on a recent episode of Hoops Tonight. The show's host reminded everyone of a stretch throughout the 2024-25 NBA season when James was absolutely undeniable.

Timpf said, "From January 28th to March 6th, ... he averaged 29 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, on 65 percent true shooting. So, the same Swiss Army knife that we've always known LeBron to be. ... He was literally the best defender on the number one defense in the NBA in that span."

LeBron James keeps breaking barriers while critics look the other way

Timpf pointed out that stretch was halted by the groin injury against the Boston Celtics. It was a shame since it James was doing his yearly ramp up ahead of the postseason, as has been the case in the later stages of his career.

Older players tend to require more time before their body really gets going in an NBA season. James certainly fits the description and that was what the experience had to offer in 2024-25.

The Lakers went 13-3 during that stretch. Despite the arrival of Luka Doncic, James still looked the part of the team's best player while the newest superstar in Los Angeles was still being acclimated and working his way back from injury.

That is the same man some will try to convince the NBA community is no longer a valuable uplifting force for the Lakers. The thought is puzzling.

James will offer Doncic the best running mate in the NBA during the upcoming season, even if there is still work to be done to truly unlock the two-man game between the superstar duo. Once training camp provides the opportunity, the Lakers will be laughing at the dismissal of their 40-year-old phenom.