Part 5/9:

LeBron’s approach to defense has raised eyebrows—he often fails to run back in transition, neglects helping teammates in the paint, and routinely opts to go under screens. These habits have exacerbated the Lakers' inability to control easy scoring opportunities for opponents. The responsibility for this defensive breakdown lies heavily on LeBron's shoulders, as he has become one of the laziest defenders in the NBA.

The Blame Game: LeBron vs. Role Players

Year after year, after a dismal defensive performance, the cycle continues: D’Angelo Russell and others have taken the fall, but why do we overlook LeBron? The narrative conveniently shifts blame, stray from addressing that he is the constant—year after year, his level of defense is at best inconsistent and at worst non-existent.