LeBron James continues to defy time. At 40 years old, he has found a way to adapt his game and elevate his performance. His ability to reinvent himself has been key to the Los Angeles Lakers’ resurgence. Since the start of 2024, James has played at an elite level, proving that he remains one of the best players in the NBA. This surge will earn LeBron James a spot on the All-NBA second team.
LeBron James Reinvents Himself To Get Second Team All-NBA Nod
LeBron’s Midseason Transformation
LeBron struggled early in the season due to bad luck, poor roster construction, and a need to conserve energy. His numbers reflected this, averaging 23.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.9 assists on 49.7% shooting before the new year. The Lakers also had a negative plus-minus with him on the court.
Everything changed in January. LeBron started playing more off the ball, trusting Austin Reaves to handle playmaking duties. The results were immediate. Since January, James has averaged 26.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.4 assists on 54.7% shooting. His plus-minus flipped from -3.9 to +3.4, showing his impact on winning basketball.
The biggest shift came after the Luka Dončić trade. In the nine games since, LeBron has been even better, averaging 29.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.8 assists while shooting an incredible 55.6% from the field and 46.9% from three. His net rating in February jumped to 10.3, a dramatic rise from his -7.6 rating in November.
Defense Leading the Lakers’ Turnaround
Before the Dončić trade, the Lakers ranked 21st in defensive rating. Many expected their defense to collapse further after trading away key defenders. However, the opposite happened. Since Anthony Davis’ injury on January 28, the Lakers have had the best defense in the NBA.
JJ Redick’s switch-heavy scheme has been a game-changer. Under Darvin Ham, the Lakers struggled with miscommunication on screens. Redick has emphasized switching on defense, neutralizing weaknesses in perimeter defense. Dorian Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura have played bigger roles, using their versatility to help the Lakers thrive. Jarred Vanderbilt’s return also provided a major boost, as he has become the team’s top perimeter stopper.
LeBron has been a major part of this defensive transformation. Redick praised James’ elite decision-making, noting that he “blows plays up, is always in the right position, and doesn’t get scored on in isolation.” The numbers back this up—LeBron ranks in the 99.7th percentile in isolation defense. Opponents are shooting just 3-of-23 against him in one-on-one situations.
LeBron’s Historic Defensive Run Fueling All-NBA Case
At 40, LeBron isn’t the explosive defender he was in Miami. Instead, he relies on positioning and anticipation to create stops. His defensive intelligence allows him to rotate effectively and disrupt plays.
During crunch time in a recent win over Dallas, LeBron anchored the Lakers’ defense, helping them hold the Dallas Mavericks to just eight points in the final six minutes. He may not be an All-Defensive team player, but no 40-year-old has ever played defense at this level.
Bad Luck and Unusual Plus-Minus Issues
Despite his resurgence, LeBron has been plagued by bad luck. This season, the Lakers have actually performed better with him off the court, a shocking development. His net rating is -0.8, while the Lakers have a +8.4 rating when he sits.
A major reason for this strange trend is poor three-point shooting when James is on the floor. The Lakers shoot just 34.4% from deep when he plays but jump to 38.1% when he sits. Even though James generates wide-open shots for his teammates, they haven’t capitalized.
This trend continues on defense. Opponents shoot 37.0% from three when LeBron is on the court, compared to just 32.0% when he’s off. These fluctuations suggest luck is playing a big role in LeBron’s on/off splits.
What’s Next for LeBron and the Lakers?
LeBron James’ reinvention has put him firmly in the All-NBA conversation. His improved shooting, off-ball movement, and defensive resurgence have fueled the Lakers’ turnaround. While some statistical anomalies suggest he’s been unlucky, the eye test and raw production confirm he remains an elite player.
As the season progresses, the Lakers’ defense may regress slightly due to opponent shooting luck normalizing. However, with LeBron playing at this level, the Lakers are a dangerous team heading into the playoffs. If LeBron James keeps up this level of play, a Second Team All-NBA selection feels inevitable.
© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
