Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague believes the Los Angeles Lakers might be better off without LeBron James, at least for now.
Teague and his co-hosts shared their thoughts on the Lakers’ six-and-two start and how the chemistry between Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves could take a hit once James returns to the lineup.
“Right now, they’ve got these young dudes playing defense and Bron be like, where he had these moments, ‘I ain’t playing no defense.’ If he ain’t getting rock or something, Bron will give you attitude or something,” Teague said, via Club 520 Podcast.
He added that while he respects James’ legendary status, the team’s current rhythm could be disrupted by his return.
“Going forward, I’m seeing that AR [Austin Reaves] and Luka [Doncic] is the dynamic duo, so it’s time like not force Bron out, but brother do something good for the franchise,” Teague said.”
He added, “Bron can play that third role; he can chill. Bron knows how to chill, get 16 or 17 a game, but I don’t know if he’s gonna do that.”
James, who is almost 41 years of age, is expected to return in mid-November, according to head coach JJ Redick and multiple NBA reporters.
The four-time MVP missed the start of an NBA season for the first time in his record-breaking 23rd year.
In his absence, the Lakers have quietly become one of the league’s most efficient offenses, ranking fifth overall and shooting 52.9 percent from the field through their first eight games. Doncic has led the charge with 41.3 points and 8.3 assists per game, while Reaves has averaged 31.1 points and 9.3 assists.
Redick credited the team’s commitment to accountability and effort.
“The guys are holding each other accountable to that and then, as a coaching staff, you have to get buy-in into that and our guys are bought in,” he said.
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