For the majority of 2025-26, the Los Angeles Lakers were simply a disjointed team that appeared to have way too many underqualified cooks in the kitchen. Whether it was Deandre Ayton trying to be a 20-point scorer, Marcus Smart chucking up 3s, Austin Reaves commanding too much of the offense, or even LeBron James not accepting his time as the face of the Lakers franchise has passed.
Since the All-Star break, things have been different for this Lakers team. A huge reason for that is the choice LeBron made. The King decided it was time to step back and let the offense become Luka Doncic’s show.
He didn't go to the media, he didn't make any conversations with the coaching staff public, he didn't take to social media—he simply let his play do the talking. LeBron taking accountability privately and stepping back has allowed this Lakers team to reach a potential that was there the entire time.
Since the return from the break, LBJ has been way more focused on getting the ball to Luka and acting more as a lead playmaker than a scoring option in the Lakers offense. Think of the role Ben Simmons had in his prime with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he was mainly focused on creating for others but could still get a bucket if needed.
LeBron James' role shift has unlocked the Lakers' championship upside
The decision to handle this quietly shows the real leadership qualities LeBron has been developing throughout his career. Seeing one of the top-two greatest basketball players to ever grace the planet take a step back has helped the rest of the team realize it's time to buy in.
Ayton has received a ton of praise lately for accepting a role JJ Redick has wanted him to play all season as a back-to-the-basket big. Smart has become the team’s primary point-of-attack defender on the wing and is giving arguably the best defensive production he's provided a team since leaving Boston.
Reaves has also taken a step back and is scoring less, but has started to impact the game more in other ways. All of this growth and acceptance stems from LeBron's decision to step back first, and by the way, it's not just the starters that are fully bought in.
The second unit has been dynamite lately as Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, Jaxson Hayes, and Jake LaRavia have been huge for this team during their 13-5 post-All-Star stretch.
When you have a player like Doncic, who is riding a 10-game streak of 30-plus points, putting the ball in his hands gives the Lakers their best chance to win. LeBron realized that. By giving the keys fully to Luka, he has also helped this Lakers team reinvent itself as a contender with the playoffs right around the corner.