LeBron James has been nearing retirement for the better part of five seasons. Perhaps that isn't actually true, but historically speaking, a player on the other side of 35 is engaged in a battle with Father Time that they're destined to lose sooner than later.
Instead, James has extended his greatness to age 40 and proven that Father Time will need to wait for at least one more shot at glory.
James has been excellent on offense throughout the 2024-25 regular season, but he's looked rejuvenated on both ends of the floor since the Luka Doncic trade went through. His intensity on defense has increased, and his offensive eruptions have become more common.
Playing alongside one of the best scorers and playmakers in NBA history, James has taken it upon himself to remind those who doubt him that he's in a class of his own in that respect.
James has appeared in 12 of the Lakers' 13 games since the franchise traded for Doncic. During that time, he's posted absurd averages of 28.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 3.2 three-point field goals made on .542/.437/.800 shooting.
It should come as no surprise that Los Angeles has gone 10-2 during James' appearances, due in no small part to his stronger focus on scoring.
LeBron James is focusing on scoring and the Lakers are better for it
James has carried a remarkable burden throughout his Lakers career. He's operated as the team's go-to perimeter scorer and its primary playmaker, which has inevitably become a more difficult responsibility to shoulder the older he's become.
With Doncic arriving in Los Angeles, however, the playmaking responsibilities have shifted in the younger superstar's direction, thus allowing James to change his emphasis.
The results have been profound, with James' production and efficiency skyrocketing. He was averaging 24.1 points per game before this recent 12-game stretch, shooting at a clip of .514/.381/.765 and making 2.1 three-point field goals per contest.
Over the past 12 games, James has averaged 4.2 more points and 1.1 more three-point field goals made while shooting 2.8 percent better from the field, 5.6 percent improved from three, and 3.5 percent up at the line.
During that same time, Doncic has hit the ground running as the Lakers' primary facilitator. He's averaging 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in the purple and gold, including 8.7 assists per contest over the past seven outings.
Doncic has already recorded two outings with at least 12 assists during his nine-game Lakers tenure, including a 30-point and 15-assist performance his last time out.
With Doncic running the offense and James picking his spots, the Lakers have bordered on unstoppable. James has proven that all he needed to return to the ranks of the NBA's elite scorers was the opportunity to carry a lighter burden as a facilitator.
Father Time will eventually win this war, as he always does, but James teaming with Doncic has kept a true decline at bay.
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