"Most overprotected superstar in sports history" - Veteran analyst flames LeBron James amid Lakers' 2-game losing streak

Amid LeBron James' LA Lakers' two-game losing streak, veteran NBA analyst and frequent James detractor Skip Bayless called out the superstar forward. According to Bayless, the media has protected James more than any sportsman throughout his 22-year career, and he deserves more criticism for LA's deficiencies.

Following the Lakers' season-best six-game winning streak, they fell 119-118 on Thursday to a shorthanded Orlando Magic squad missing its premier player, Paolo Banchero (oblique). The defeat, which came on a last-second 3-pointer from Magic forward Franz Wagner, marked LA's first at home after its 7-0 start at Crypto.com Arena.

Two days later, the Lakers suffered a 127-102 blowout home loss to the Denver Nuggets. They squandered a double-digit lead for the second consecutive outing, dropping to 10-6.

On Monday's episode of "The Skip Bayless Show," Bayless touched on LeBron James consistently avoiding blame for his team's shortcomings. Per the longtime analyst, the media has long worked overtime to shield James' reputation more than any athlete.

"I'm constantly amazed by how hard the LeBron-worshipping media works to protect him by ignoring so many of his classic failures," Bayless said (Timestamp: 30:42). "LeBron eclipses Aaron Rodgers as the most overprotected superstar in sports history."

Bayless pointed out that James went 2-for-4 (50.0%) at the free-throw line against Orlando and failed to capitalize on a late opportunity to ice the game. He noted that the four-time MVP coming up short at the charity stripe has been an oft-ignored trend throughout his career.

"LeBron, for his career, is a 74% free-throw shooter. That ranks, since he came into the league, 682nd all-time," Bayless said.

"This year, he's right on his career average at 74.0%. That ranks, in this year's NBA, 177th. That's LeBron bleeping James. ... On late and close free throws, he's the worst since he came into the league, by far."

Bayless added that James "has always run from do-or-die situation shots at the ends of games," and should have attempted a game-winner on Thursday.

"As I've said a billion times before, blind witnesses, he just has no clutch gene," Bayless said. "... He's hiding from the basketball. He's acting like he's some kind of decoy. He's no decoy. He's LeBron bleeping James."

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Skip Bayless says LeBron James' poor late-game leadership against Magic induced Lakers' blowout loss to Nuggets

As for Skip Bayless' thoughts on LA's 25-point beatdown against Denver Saturday, he also attributed it to LeBron James' lack of assertiveness against Orlando.

According to Bayless, the Lakers had difficulty moving on from James letting them down two nights earlier.

"They were flat, they were lifeless, they looked drained (and) they looked uninspired, I believe because their leader had failed them on Thursday night at home," Bayless said. "... They gave up a 50-17 run. Just shameful."

Nevertheless, LA (10-6) sits fourth in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, James is again delivering well-rounded All-Star-caliber production as he approaches age 40 next month.

Through 16 contests, James is averaging 23.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.4 3-pointers per game, shooting 51.1% and 42.2% from deep.

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