The Los Angeles Lakers picked up wins against the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers to move to 39-25, including a 13-7 record this season without LeBron James. If anyone wants to build a controversial narrative around that number, Paul Pierce has already done it.
Pierce is keeping the discussion going about the Lakers playing without LeBron. He took the opportunity to suggest the Lakers may be better off without the 41-year-old superstar, believing he does not exactly fit with Luka Doncic and that his defense hurts the team.
“Luka and LeBron’s skill set is too repetitive with each other. It doesn’t mix and match because if LeBron isn’t on the ball controlling the game, controlling decision-making, it doesn’t feel right or look right. And then being a liability on defense at the age of 41, it just is like, it just is what it is.”
Paul Pierce says the Lakers are better off without LeBron:
“Luka and LeBron’s skill set is too repetitive with each other. It doesn’t mix and match because if LeBron isn’t on the ball controlling the game, controlling decision making, it doesn’t feel right or look right. And… https://t.co/p6COz2lyeB pic.twitter.com/D4B3y6Vu9y
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) March 9, 2026
There will not be a Lakers team without LeBron this season, even if that is what critics want to see right now. Next year though could change that. If LeBron leaves and joins another team, we will finally see what this group looks like without him.
The Lakers are 26-18 with LeBron in the lineup this season, with the veteran superstar averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game on 50.4% shooting from the field.
