Since arriving in Los Angeles, LeBron James has been a focal point of the Lakers’ ambitions and narratives, carrying both the weight of expectations and the spotlight of Hollywood. With the Lakers’ recent first-round departure from the playoffs, falling 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets, it’s time to reflect on LeBron’s journey with the team.
From championship highs to disappointing lows, this era has been a rollercoaster of emotions and results. In this article, we’ll dive into LeBron’s tenure with the Lakers, examining the impact of his leadership on and off the court, the team’s playoff performances, and the overall direction of the franchise under his star power.
2018-19 NBA Season – Missed Playoffs
Regular Season Record: 37-45 (10th in the Western Conference)
LeBron James’ inaugural season with the Los Angeles Lakers marked a significant shift for both the player and the franchise, though it didn’t quite go as planned. James, who had reached the NBA Finals eight consecutive times with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, faced new challenges in the Western Conference. The Lakers, filled with young talents and high expectations, struggled to find consistent chemistry and were plagued by injuries throughout the season. LeBron himself was not immune; he missed a career-high 27 games due to a groin injury suffered on Christmas Day, which significantly impacted the team’s performance and playoff hopes.
When he was on the court, LeBron still performed at a high level, averaging 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Despite his efforts, the Lakers often looked outmatched and out of sync, particularly in clutch situations. The team’s defense also suffered, finishing the season ranked 21st in defensive rating.
This season didn’t live up to the hype surrounding LeBron’s big move to LA. Missing the playoffs was a rare miss for LeBron and really highlighted the struggles and growing pains the Lakers went through.
Grade: C
2019-20 NBA Season – NBA Champions
Regular Season Record: 52-19 (1st in the Western Conference)
LeBron James’ second year with the Los Angeles Lakers turned the narrative completely around from his first season. The key offseason move that brought Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and multiple draft picks transformed the Lakers into a powerhouse. The synergy between LeBron and Davis was evident from the start, making the Lakers a top contender. They finished the regular season leading the Western Conference and ranked third overall in the league.
However, the season faced unprecedented disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a suspension of play in March. The league resumed in July in a bubble at Disney World, where the Lakers found their stride and dominated the competition. Throughout the regular season, LeBron put up impressive numbers, averaging 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and led the league with 10.2 assists per game, showcasing his versatility and leadership.
Once in the playoffs, the Lakers showcased their dominance by beating the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, overcoming the Houston Rockets in the semifinals, and defeating the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals. Each series highlighted the Lakers’ unmatched depth and LeBron’s critical role in pivotal moments.
In the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, LeBron’s experience was invaluable. He averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game across the six-game series. His performance not only led the Lakers to their 17th NBA title but also earned him the Finals MVP, marking his fourth Finals MVP award. This victory tied the Lakers with the Boston Celtics for the most championships in NBA history.
The 2019-20 season was a resounding triumph. Capturing the NBA championship in one of the most challenging seasons ever, due to the circumstances of the pandemic and the bubble environment, was a testament to the team’s resilience and LeBron’s leadership. His ability to perform at an MVP level in the playoffs and lead his team to victory under such unique and stressful conditions secured a top grade for the season. This year not only restored the Lakers as a premier franchise but also cemented LeBron’s legacy as one of the all-time greats in basketball history.
Grade: A+
2020-21 NBA Season – First Round Exit
Regular Season Record: 42-30 (7th in the Western Conference)
Following their championship season, expectations remained high for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Nonetheless, the 2020-21 season was fraught with challenges, most notably injuries. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis faced significant time on the sidelines due to health issues; LeBron missed 27 games due to a high ankle sprain, and Davis was out for a large part of the season with calf and Achilles tendon injuries. These setbacks disrupted the team’s rhythm and chemistry, significantly affecting their performance and seeding going into the playoffs.
Despite these difficulties, the Lakers managed to secure the seventh seed in the Western Conference through the play-in tournament, where they defeated the Golden State Warriors in a tightly contested game. LeBron’s leadership and a crucial long-range three-pointer in the final minute were pivotal in clinching the game.
In the playoffs, the Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns, who were led by the dynamic duo of Devin Booker and Chris Paul. The series exposed the Lakers’ vulnerabilities, particularly their depth issues and the ongoing fitness concerns of their star players. After taking an initial series lead, the Lakers struggled to maintain consistency, and with Davis re-aggravating his groin injury in Game 4, their fate was all but sealed. The Suns capitalized on this, taking the series 4-2.
LeBron, despite the challenges, averaged 23.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game during the series, showcasing his all-around abilities but falling short of his usual dominant playoff impact.
The 2020-21 season ended in disappointment for the Lakers, marking a stark contrast to their championship run just a year earlier. Injuries played a significant role, and the team’s inability to consistently perform at a high level without their key stars highlighted the need for greater depth and durability. The season underscored the limits of relying heavily on stars who were battling through significant physical challenges.
Grade: C
2021-22 NBA Season – Missed Playoffs
Regular Season Record: 33-49 (11th in the Western Conference)
In the 2021-22 season, the Los Angeles Lakers made a significant offseason move aiming to reshape their roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis by acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. This trade, which sent Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and a future draft pick to Washington, was intended to form a new “big three.” The Lakers anticipated that Westbrook’s high energy and ability to produce triple-doubles would mesh well with LeBron and Davis, adding a new dynamic to their team.
However, the season did not unfold as the Lakers had hoped. Integrating Westbrook into the lineup proved challenging, with notable issues in on-court fit and chemistry. Westbrook’s ball-dominant style clashed with LeBron’s playmaking role, leading to disjointed offensive performances. Moreover, Anthony Davis struggled with injuries throughout the season, significantly limiting his contribution and impacting the team’s overall performance.
The Lakers faced difficulties in establishing consistency, with the team struggling to adapt to the new roster dynamics. Their defensive performance was lackluster, and the team often appeared out of sync, particularly in crucial moments of games. These issues contributed to a disappointing regular season, where the Lakers finished with a 33-49 record, missing the playoffs entirely and ending up 11th in the Western Conference.
LeBron, despite these challenges, maintained robust averages of 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game, showcasing his enduring skill and leadership under trying circumstances.
The 2021-22 season was a significant disappointment for the Lakers, failing to meet the heightened expectations set by the arrival of Westbrook and the existing star power of LeBron and Davis. The team’s inability to gel and the persistent injury issues highlighted serious flaws in both roster construction and strategic planning. This season underscored the need for a thorough reassessment of the Lakers’ approach to building a supportive and effective team around LeBron.
Grade: D
2022-23 NBA Season – Western Conference Finals Exit
Regular Season Record: 43-39 (7th in the Western Conference)
The 2022-23 NBA season marked a significant turnaround for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. After a series of roster adjustments following the departure of Russell Westbrook, the Lakers aimed to build a more cohesive unit around LeBron. This year, they achieved a level of team synergy that had been missing in previous seasons, leading to improved results.
Throughout the regular season, the Lakers experienced ups and downs but ultimately secured a more respectable record of 43-39, showing progress from their past struggles. LeBron James continued to defy age-related expectations, leading the team with impressive averages of 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. His leadership on and off the court was instrumental in navigating the team through the competitive Western Conference.
During the playoffs, the Lakers first faced the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. They secured a series win against the Grizzlies with a 4-2 record, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they faced a formidable Golden State Warriors team. The Lakers managed to eliminate the Warriors in six games, showing strong performances and clutch plays that highlighted their potential and resilience under pressure.
However, their journey ended in the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers were swept by the Nuggets in a 4-0 series. Despite the sweep, reaching the Western Conference Finals marked a notable achievement for the team, especially considering their performance in the regular season and their journey through the playoffs.
LeBron James played a pivotal role throughout the Lakers’ playoff run, with standout performances that included scoring, playmaking, and leadership on the court. The team’s progress to the Western Conference Finals, despite being eventually outmatched by the Nuggets, was a testament to their improved cohesion and strategic adjustments made throughout the season
The 2022-23 season was a step in the right direction for the Lakers. While they did not achieve the ultimate goal of an NBA championship, the progress made from a play-in berth to a Western Conference Finals appearance was commendable. The season reaffirmed LeBron’s status as an elite player capable of leading a team deep into the playoffs. It also underscored the need for the Lakers to continue refining their roster to support LeBron in the remaining years of his career, aiming for sustained success and possibly another championship run.
Grade: B+
2023-24 NBA Season – First Round Exit
Regular Season Record: 47-35 (7th in the Western Conference)
The 2023-24 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers was marked by improvements and heightened expectations after their previous Western Conference Finals appearance. The Lakers finished the regular season with a record of 47-35, placing them seventh in the Western Conference.
LeBron James continued to showcase his all-around skills, averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, demonstrating his enduring impact on the court. Anthony Davis also played a crucial role, with 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
In the playoffs, the Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Despite their efforts and the high hopes pinned on them, the Lakers were eliminated in a tightly contested series that went to five games. Their season ended with a narrow 108-106 loss in Game 5 with a Jamal Murray game-winning shot, underlining the challenges they still faced in matchups against top-tier teams.
The 2023-24 season showed promise and was a step up from the previous seasons, evidenced by the Lakers’ solid regular season performance and the competitive nature of their playoff games. However, the first-round exit was a reminder of the gaps that still exist between the Lakers and the championship contenders. The playoff outcome emphasized the need for ongoing adjustments and perhaps a deeper bench to support their key players during critical moments of high-stakes matches.
Grade: B-
Overall Grade Of LeBron’s Lakers Era: A
LeBron James’ stint with the Lakers has been nothing short of transformative. Over the past six years, not only did he clinch an NBA championship in the 2019-20 season, breaking a decade-long drought for the Lakers, but he also led the team to an In-Season Tournament victory in 2023-24. These accomplishments highlight a period of resurgence for the Lakers, firmly re-establishing them as contenders in the league.
Throughout his tenure, LeBron has been the linchpin for the Lakers, melding young talents with experienced players and consistently delivering high-performance play. He adapted to different roles as needed, guiding the team through both regular seasons and playoffs with his strategic play and leadership. Even with challenges like injuries and significant roster changes, his ability to inspire and elevate his teammates has been a constant.
It’s worth noting that LeBron’s era with the Lakers isn’t over yet. Although he might opt out of his player option and become a free agent, signs point to him likely staying with the team. This ongoing journey means LeBron still has chapters to write in his Lakers story, promising more opportunities to bolster his already impressive legacy.
By any measure, LeBron’s impact on the Lakers deserves an ‘A’. His time in LA has not only added another championship banner but has also rejuvenated the franchise, keeping them in the championship conversation and setting high standards for the team’s future campaigns.
