“Cold hard facts” – LeBron James is THE PROBLEM for Lakers take from NBA analyst sparks huge debate among fans

LeBron James has largely been said to be the LA Lakers' best player, even at 39.

“Cold hard facts” – LeBron James is THE PROBLEM for Lakers take from NBA analyst sparks huge debate among fans

LeBron James for the Los Angeles Lakers (Via Sports Illustrated)

LeBron James, without a shadow of a doubt, is a force to be reckoned with, something he has shown for years. From his high-profile entry into the NBA to marking his own stamp in the history books of basketball, his impact on the NBA has been more than evident. However, not everyone sees him in the same light. And one of them, NBA analyst, Ric Bucher, recently ignited a fierce debate among fans by boldly stating that LeBron James is the problem for the LA Lakers.

In a recent controversial statement by renowned NBA analyst Ric Bucher on the Sportsnaut podcast, he pointed the finger directly at LeBron as the root of the Los Angeles Lakers’ struggles. While many have blamed Darvin Ham, Bucher believes it is James who should shoulder the majority of the blame and even gave an example from their recent game.

YouTube video

Bucher commended James for his remarkable offensive numbers and basketball IQ but contends that his individual success doesn’t necessarily translate into making his teammates better. He also argued that James’ preoccupation with scoring is hindering the team’s overall performance. Bucher said:

FS Video
I don’t say that as a criticism. He’s 39 years old, It’s amazing what he’s doing at 39 years old. I point that out, because for anybody who says ‘Lebron’s as good as he ever was,’ I’m like you’ve got to be out of your mind.

In what may come as a surprise to many, James himself has been blamed for the Lakers’ poor season thus far. Of course, the 39-year-old is more than used to dealing with such statements, and will only be focussed on helping his team win again.

Fans’ opinions are divided as Rich Bucher blames LeBron James

After the video went viral, fans went berzerk on the whole situation. While the take-in itself was highly controversial, fans were divided on the whole topic and gave their views on LeBron’s impact on the Los Angeles Lakers.

LeBron James for the Los Angeles Lakers (Via Sideline Sources)
LeBron James for the Los Angeles Lakers (Via Sideline Sources)

The clip garnished a huge amount of eyes and was certainly a topic to discuss amongst the fans. Some fans talked about how Bucher was right, while others wanted other players such as Anthony Davis to be blamed as well.

Regardless, with the trade deadline approaching, the team might contemplate significant moves to rectify their current predicament. But with respect to LeBron James, fans will be hoping for a change in fortunes for the overall team, failing which more fingers might be raised at the legend.

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