The Lakers’ New Hierarchy: LeBron, AD, and the Uncomfortable Truth

Look, Stephen A. Smith isn’t wrong when he says we haven’t seen LeBron James as a third option. That’s because, for 20 years, he’s been the *option*. The *only* option, in many cases. From his rookie year averaging 20.9 points in Cleveland to his final Miami season putting up 27.1, the offense has always flowed through him. His 2020 Lakers championship run saw him average 27.6 points, 10.8 assists, and 10.8 rebounds in the Finals. This year? He's averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds. Still elite numbers, absolutely. But the eye test tells a different story some nights.

Thing is, Anthony Davis is playing the best basketball of his career. He put up 27 points and 25 rebounds against the Timberwolves on March 18th. Just a few nights later, he dropped 36 points and 16 boards against the Bucks. He’s been a monster. D'Angelo Russell, too, has been scorching. He hit eight threes against the Bucks, finishing with 29 points, and then followed it up with 28 points against the Pacers. Those are primary scorer numbers. So, is LeBron truly a third option? Not quite, but he's certainly not the unquestioned alpha anymore, and that’s a new dynamic for him.

He’s still the best passer on the team, no question. His court vision remains unparalleled. But there are possessions now where he defers early, where he’s content to let Russell or Davis initiate. You see him parked in the corner, sometimes for multiple possessions. That’s a stark contrast to the Cavaliers teams where every single offensive set ran through him, or even those Heat teams where he and Wade shared the load more equally. Remember the 2018 Finals, where he averaged 34 points a game trying to drag that Cavs team past the Warriors? Different guy, different role now.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: This shift isn't just about LeBron "embracing" a new role. It's also a necessity. He’s 39 years old. He's played over 56,000 regular-season minutes and another 11,000 in the playoffs. His body simply can't sustain the same usage rate it once did. The explosiveness is still there in flashes, but it’s not sustained. He’s missed 11 games this season already, nursing various ailments. Asking him to carry the offensive burden night after night, like he did for two decades, would run him into the ground before the playoffs even started. The Lakers need a fresh LeBron in May, not a gassed one.

The Lakers' recent 10-2 run, including big wins over Milwaukee and Philadelphia, shows this new pecking order works. Davis is leading the charge, Russell is providing crucial secondary scoring, and LeBron is orchestrating, picking his spots, and still dropping 25 points when they need it. It’s a more sustainable model for a team with championship aspirations. Any other approach would be pure delusion.

**The Playoff Predicament**

This is where it gets interesting. Can LeBron truly dial back his scoring in a seven-game series against a Nuggets or Thunder team? I have my doubts. When the chips are down, when the game is on the line in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, I still believe the ball will find its way into LeBron's hands, and he'll be expected to make the play. The "third option" talk sounds good now, but come playoff time, the Lakers will lean on James far more than anyone is admitting.