Colin Cowherd Lauds LeBron James for Taking a Back Seat in Year 23: “Don’t Think Michael Jordan Would’ve Done That”

For much of this season, LeBron James has been receiving criticism for potentially undermining his Los Angeles Lakers.

Colin Cowherd Lauds LeBron James for Taking a Back Seat in Year 23: “Don’t Think Michael Jordan Would’ve Done That”

Colin Cowherd and LeBron James (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Colin Cowherd praises LeBron James for adapting to a role player position to benefit his team.
  • LeBron emphasizes that winning is his top priority, showcasing his willingness to sacrifice personal stats.
  • Critics suggest LeBron's passive play may be a strategy to conserve energy for the upcoming playoffs.

After the Los Angeles Lakers convincingly won three straight games without LeBron James in the lineup, critics were quick to point out that it was the absence of the oldest player in the league that allowed his teammates to play more freely.

Right before the narrative pivoted, it was his teammate Luka Doncic who was facing the short end of the stick, with questions being raised about his incessant complaining and his ball-hogging tendencies.

Now, the onus shifted back to the 41-year-old, who many believe is stopping Austin Reaves from flourishing as the second option on the Lakers. Along with that, critics feel that James’ presence also forces his teammates to defer to him.

Then came their game against the Chicago Bulls, and even though LeBron James had some highlight-reel-worthy moments, he was largely a role player, while Doncic, Reaves, and even Deandre Ayton produced impressive performances.

It’s asking a lot of LeBron James… To ask a guy that was face of the NBA for 20 years, ‘Hey, we not only need you to be off the ball with Luka, but Austin Reaves as well.’ It is a big ask. I don’t think Michael Jordan would’ve done that.

Colin Cowherd said on The Herd

The longtime analyst believes that for someone who can still be the best player on more than half the teams in the league, to willingly accept and adjust to merely being a role player is unheard of. That is why LeBron James needs all the praise he can get.

LeBron James only concerned with winning

Another aspect Colin Cowherd touched on was how LeBron James’ performance in the Lakers’ win against the Chicago Bulls was proof that nothing is more important than winning.

If it benefits others, it benefits the team. The team is most important. Everybody is successful when we win. So yeah, it is a sacrifice. I know what I’m capable of still doing as an individual, but what’s important for this team, I’m able to adapt to… And that’s the only thing that matters.

LeBron James told Dave McMenamin

This was the four-time champion’s response when the ESPN reporter asked James about his adjustments in that game. From his reply, it is evident that the only thing that concerns him now is winning.

Over the past few months, critics have been suggesting that the father of three only cared about his statistics and was undermining his team by doing so.

This win against the Bulls is an indication that the Akron native has probably heard about those noises and adjusted his game accordingly.

LeBron James’ true worth will come out in the playoffs

Those critics have primarily talked about how LeBron James just stands in the corner, not getting involved in the offensive or defensive game plan, or how his lack of effort was impeding his teammates.

Lakers will need LeBron James' energy in the playoffs
Lakers will need LeBron James’ energy in the playoffs (Image via Keith Birmingham/X)

However, it is also possible that head coach JJ Redick knows that his former podcast co-host needs to conserve his energy until the playoffs come around.

Until then, even when the Lakers were struggling to win games consistently, Redick did not alter his game plan and ask James to do more than he was supposed to.

That could become a blessing in disguise when the postseason comes around. No one in the league, let alone the Lakers, knows more about the playoffs than this man.

Therefore, when the time comes, expect the four-time league MVP to show why he was playing passively all throughout the regular season. After that, maybe his critics will finally rest their case and applaud LeBron James’ effort.

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