As the Los Angeles Lakers push toward the postseason, LeBron James has made it clear what will determine their success. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, the four-time NBA champion emphasized that he, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves must be in sync for the team to make a deep playoff run.
“[Luka Doncic], myself, and [Austin Reaves], we got to be all clicking at the same time. … We have to make sure we have everybody in tune,” James said.
The Lakers (43-28) currently hold the fifth seed in the Western Conference but have struggled in recent weeks, losing seven of their last ten games. At one point, Los Angeles was as high as second in the standings before their recent skid.
Doncic, who was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks on February 2 in a blockbuster trade, has been putting up 27.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game since arriving. James, at 40 years old, continues to perform at an elite level, averaging 24.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per contest.
Reaves has stepped up in his fourth NBA season, posting career-highs with 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. His emergence as a consistent offensive weapon has been crucial for the Lakers’ success.
With the Western Conference playoff race tightening, Los Angeles will need their stars to be in top form. James believes their chemistry will be the deciding factor as the Lakers attempt to position themselves for another championship run.
