LeBron James fan and NBA analyst says 4x NBA champ is "big part" of Lakers' problem amid horrid road stretch

Jason Timpf, host of Hoops Tonight, said on X (previously Twitter) that LeBron James contributes to the LA Lakers' current season's difficulties. On Monday, the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons for the third time this season. The Pistons were merciless and defeated the California squad 115-103.

James finished the game with 20 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Lakers star scored most of his points in the first half and struggled to be a consistent threat on the floor during the second half. The game's last two quarters saw the 6-foot-9 forward shoot just 28.6% from the field.

This prompted Timpf to say that James is part of the reason why the team has struggled.

"Two things are true," Timpf posted. "LeBron hasn't been good yet this season and on nights when the Lakers come out flat he's usually a big part of the problem. He's also the last person I'm worried about with this team in the big picture. He's going to get his legs under him and be LeBron."

However, the analyst still believes the four-time MVP will eventually find his rhythm and play like his usual self again.

This season, James has put up one of the lowest-scoring averages of his career. The Lakers star is averaging 21.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists.

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LeBron James believes the Lakers lacked physicality in their loss against the Pistons

LeBron James and the Lakers were down by as much as 20 points versus the Pistons. They struggled against the young team, who played with much vigor and energy on Monday.

Following the loss, James said the Lakers didn't match the physicality the matchup demanded.

"We took some early shots and let them get out in transition where they’re very elite at and then they also got some offensive rebounds," James said. "Free throw situation was not good for us. Play good defense, we give up offensive rebounds, it gets tipped around and they score off of that. So we just gotta do a much better job of that.

"Of course. We definitely have to match physicality depending on whatever game is being played, we have to match that. I don’t think we did that, as a unit we didn’t do a good job in the first half. In the second half we did, but we were already down 14 at half."

The Lakers will finish their road trip against the Grizzlies on Wednesday. James and the team aim to have a strong trip finale before their Friday matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.

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