LeBron James Reacts to Media Saying the Lakers are Better Without Him

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacted to the media’s comments, saying the team is better without him.

The Los Angeles Lakers (45-25) have played their way to their best basketball so far this NBA season, riding an eight-game win streak after beating the Miami Heat (38-32) on Thursday night.

A lot of the hate on the organization has seemed to become quiet. Especially the insiders who said the Lakers are better off without 41-year-old LeBron James on the court.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst spoke on First Take at the end of February and just before Los Angeles began their recent stretch of success, saying, “When Luka (Doncic), LeBron (James), and Austin Reaves play together, they’re just not a good team. They’ve been leaning on the fact that injuries have prevented them from having time together, but the data is just the data. When Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, just two of them are out there, the Lakers are an excellent team.”

LeBron James Address ‘Lakers Are Better Without Him’ Narrative

With LeBron James hearing his name being thrown around negatively, the all-time great finally reacted publicly to the media’s takes.

“It sells papers a lot easier, and clippings, and podcasts if you say ‘LeBron, the team is better off without him.’ A lot of people will try to like view it. So I get it. They’re absolutely wrong,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin following the Lakers 234-126 victory over the Miami Heat.

LeBron James hasn’t been as active in scoring this season in comparison to others, but his presence is still very much known.

In a record-setting 23rd NBA season, the 41-year-old is averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while shooting an impressive 51.4% from the field.

It’s worth noting that James has dealt with injuries of his own this season. He missed the start of the campaign because of a lingering sciatica injury and has also missed games due to ongoing arthritis in his left foot.

Most recently, he’s been playing through a left elbow contusion that continues to be bruised and battered throughout the Lakers’ win streak.

Lakers Continue to Solidify Spot in Western Conference Standings

Although the stats that Brian Windhorst explained made sense at the time, it doesn’t appear to be in effect while the Lakers are rolling their way into a more comfortable spot in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles holds a two-game lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-27) and a three-game edge over the Houston Rockets (41-27) and Denver Nuggets (42-28). While there’s still time for the Lakers to slip from the No. 3 seed they currently hold, the team has shown a level of momentum that was lacking earlier in the season.

The Lakers have 12 games remaining in the regular season. Six of those contests come against teams that are currently an NBA Playoffs team. If the trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves can maintain this same dominance over the next three and a half weeks, who knows what it can play out.

Los Angeles will play in the fourth of six straight road games as they take on the Orlando Magic (38-31) on Saturday.

Toran Flores is a sports reporter located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He’s covered news in the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. His work has been featured on platforms like FanSided, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, Lakers All Day Everyday, and others.

In his free time, Toran enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, and traveling. More about Toran Flores