LeBron James, even at 40 years old, continues to deliver remarkable performances for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Bill Simmons has expressed skepticism, not regarding James’s current play, but concerning his ability to sustain this level of performance over the long term.
James recently suffered a groin injury on Saturday, which is expected to sideline him for one to two weeks. Following the Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Doncic, the team’s depth has been significantly reduced.
Consequently, James has often had to compensate for this lack of depth by playing extended minutes. As Simmons predicted, this increased workload has contributed to James’s recent injury. On his podcast, Simmons elaborated on his concerns and placed the responsibility on the Lakers organization.
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James Overcompensating
“LeBron got hurt, which you know, he tweaked the groin, we’ll see how long he’s out,” Simmons said. “This is the problem when you’re overcompensating for these things that are missing. You can fly around, and you can look really good on a Thursday night game, but it’s not sustainable.
“You can’t put that kind of rebounding and defensive pressure on LeBron. They might drop down now to the 4 or 5 seed. We might get Lakers vs. Warriors Round 1, it’s not inconceivable at this point. Which I think would be just a nuts series.”
James’s continued display of his multifaceted game, even at his advanced age, has not entirely alleviated Bill Simmons’s concerns. While James is averaging 34.9 minutes per game, his responsibilities have expanded, particularly with Anthony Davis’s absence.
Without Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers have relied more heavily on James for defensive assignments. Although James is capable defensively, this increased workload is not ideal, given his primary role in carrying the offensive load and initiating plays. However, with the arrival of Luka Doncic, there’s been a noticeable shift. Doncic’s elite ball-handling and shot-creation skills provide James with an offensive partner he hasn’t had since Kyrie Irving, allowing him to allocate more energy to the defensive side of the court.
Nevertheless, expecting a 40-year-old James to consistently defend at an All-NBA level is not sustainable. With the team aiming for a playoff spot, prioritizing his health is paramount, despite his remarkable durability. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has emphasized the need for increased defensive intensity in James’s absence, but losing a player of his caliber inevitably poses a significant challenge.
The Lakers can only hope for a swift recovery for James. However, even a speedy return will not fully dispel Simmons’s lingering concerns about the long-term sustainability of James’s performance.