The Los Angeles Lakers have found their footing in the second half of the season, and a big part of that has been the Big 3 all figuring out exactly how to work together and off each other. LeBron James has fully embraced being the No. 3 option behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — the clarity in each player's role has improved production (and morale) in a massive way.
According to Chris Haynes (and others, I may add), this is just a flash in the pan, though, and it might fizzle out come playoff time. "I don't know if I see that happening in the playoffs," the NBA insider said recently, also stating that if the Lakers falter in the playoffs, most of the blame will fall on LeBron's shoulders.
I agree with the second part. As long as LeBron is on a roster, he will take the brunt of criticism, no matter if he's the team's go-to guy (and he's not that for the Lakers anymore). But I wholeheartedly disagree with the idea that LeBron will suddenly want to be that guy again when the playoffs start, because it's clear to everyone, LeBron included, how much better this team is when he embraces the role of taking 12-15 shots a night — which he has been doing of late.
LeBron James will have no problem with his role if Lakers keep winning
This may age poorly, but I don't think LeBron is delusional about his role in year 23. He appears to know his limitations, and I don't know why the postseason setting would cause him to try and channel his inner-29 year old self, especially if his being a great No. 3 option is leading to Laker wins.
Will there be a game in the playoffs in which LeBron tries to do too much? Maybe! Probably! Because Haynes is right about the playoffs being what "makes legacies." I'm sure LeBron would love one more inhuman postseason run to a ring. But him sabotaging the team for personal stats over two decades into his tenure is hard to imagine.
At its best, this Lakers team will still have problems matching up with the Thunder or Spurs — but if they play like they have the past month, they can at least challenge anyone else in the Western Conference. Doing that requires a slightly lower volume LeBron James. He's embraced that role recently, and I see no reason why that would change in the playoffs — his legacy is pretty much made, after all.