Skip Bayless, a long-time critic of LeBron James, has expressed an unexpected sense of sympathy for the superstar, claiming the Lakers are not treating the four-time champion with the respect he deserves. Bayless believes the franchise has shifted its focus toward a new pair of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, leaving James in an uncomfortable position. On Gil’s Arena, Bayless remarked:
“LeBron’s the third wheel now. I’m no big LeBron fan, but I feel sorry for him in this situation because it just feels wrong, wrong, wrong.”
Central to Bayless’ criticism is the lack of defensive accountability within the Lakers’ organization, specifically involving head coach JJ Redick. While acknowledging that James remains a “solid offensive player,” Bayless argued that the veteran is barely exerting effort on the defensive end, and his coach, who was also his former podcast partner, is unwilling to intervene. Bayless added:
“He won’t play defense, and his podcast partner [Redick] is not going to call him out because he loves him and he got the job because of him. This is a mess, man.”
The criticism extended to Mavericks star Luka Doncic, whom Bayless labeled as “overrated” despite his offensive genius. Bayless mentioned the “brotherly bond” between Doncic and Reaves, suggesting that the Lakers’ prioritization of this duo over James was wrong.
Comparing the two superstars’ defensive contributions, he stated: “I’m gonna say it again, Luka is overrated. I know he can score, I know he’s a genius, I know all that. … He plays less defense than LeBron does,” highlighting Doncic’s high turnover rate and shooting inefficiency.
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These comments come during a period of high tension for the Lakers, backed by JJ Redick’s visible fury following a Christmas Day defeat to the Houston Rockets. Fans have echoed the sentiment regarding the team’s lack of intensity as well.
JJ Redick Says LeBron James’ Return Has Slowed Down The Lakers’ Offensive Prowess
The Los Angeles Lakers are experiencing a difficult stretch in the ongoing 2025-26 season, marked by a three-game losing streak and a noticeable fall from grace after a strong start.
While the team found success early on, courtesy of the chemistry of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the return of LeBron James from the sidelines due to sciatica has raised concerns about the team’s balance. Although James has maintained his individual statistical output, the overall team rhythm has suffered, resulting in a period of inconsistency that has left both fans and analysts seeking answers.
Head coach JJ Redick took full responsibility for the recent slump, opining that the team’s flow has been disrupted since James rejoined the lineup. Redick candidly said:
“Since we got Bron back, we haven’t been structured offensively…Too many random possessions… yeah, that’s on me.”
Redick emphasized that the team must prioritize “defensive clarity, role clarity & offensive organization” to regain its form. As the Lakers prepare to face the Sacramento Kings, the coaching staff will be focused on re-evaluating player roles to ensure that the roster can integrate James effectively without sacrificing the offensive structure that led to their early-season wins.
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