LeBron James made it clear during Wednesday’s ESPY Awards that he is coming back this fall for a 21st NBA season. He did so as he received the award for the best record-breaking performance.
He will report to training camp at the end of the summer and join a Los Angeles Lakers team that has miraculously gone from a mediocre squad that was on track to miss the playoffs to one that looks championship-caliber.
They just had a very successful free agency period, and even though they aren’t the favorites to win it all, they rank very high on everyone’s power rankings list.
However, ESPN personality Kendrick Perkins, a former teammate of James, doesn’t think the NBA’s all-time leading scorer can lead L.A. to another world title (h/t Lakers Daily).
.@KendrickPerkins doesn't believe LeBron can lead the Lakers to a title this season 😳 pic.twitter.com/Pv5Dp7LfWr
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 13, 2023
“I don’t,” Perkins said. “I don’t. And not because I don’t believe in LeBron James. Look, I think he’s the greatest player of all time. We can debate that another day. I’m standing on that, 10 toes down.
“But when it comes down to putting expectations on a guy that’s going to be 39 years old in December, I just can’t do that. Especially when he’s playing alongside a guy that is in his prime – a top five talent – in Anthony Davis. This shouldn’t be on LeBron James.”
Instead, Perkins said the onus is on Anthony Davis.
“Now, should LeBron James be the second option?” Perkins continued. “Absolutely. But this Lakers team is gonna go as far as Anthony Davis can carry them. … But this is Anthony Davis’ opportunity, and this should be on the shoulders of Anthony Davis to lead the Lakers to winning another championship.”
James has led the Lakers in scoring average in four of his five seasons with them. The one season he didn’t do so was 2019-20, when they won the NBA championship and Davis led them in points per game.
With a balanced and potent team around him, James shouldn’t have to carry it nearly as often as he has had to in the last two years. That should allow him to preserve his body and stay fresh for the playoffs.
