Los Angeles Lakers News: LeBron James Reveals He Overruled Darvin Ham vs Clippers
Alex Kirschenbaum.
Even in his pro basketball dotage, All-NBA Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James can still be an impressive two-way force when properly motivated.
The 6-foot-9 superstar remains an elite offensive talent in 2023-24 for the 40-32 Lakers, but he hasn’t been able to muster up the All-Defensive tenacity that made him such a formidable force on that floor every night in his Miami Heat-era prime.
Let’s talk about the offense for a second. In 62 games, James is averaging 25.4 points on .530/.406/.751 shooting splits, 8.1 assists, and 7.2 rebounds. His scoring efficiency from the floor is up both generally and from deep.
If he keeps up this long range conversion rate, it’ll be tied with his 2012-13 title-winning Heat stint as his best percentage ever, albeit on two more attempts a night (5.3).
But he was happy to defend another future Hall of Fame forward who’s been a Finals MVP for multiple franchises earlier this season.
James helped the Lakers storm back from a 21-point fourth quarter deficit on February 28, singlehandedly outdueling the Clippers in the frame on offense, 19-16. That output included five threes.
He also stepped up on defense, draping himself all over Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard, like it was the 2013 and ’14 Spurs-Heat NBA Finals all over again.