Los Angeles Lakers: 2018-19 player grades for LeBron James

Weaknesses

LeBron also deserves a significant portion of the blame for L.A.’s struggles.

Indirectly, his absence from the lineup when he was hurt obviously helped sink the Lakers’ chances at making the playoffs. Also indirectly, his close ties to Anthony Davis helped create a climate in which some Lakers were reportedly negatively impacted by the constant Davis trade rumors.

Some blame also goes to LeBron directly, because when he did play, he often hurt the team with his poor defense, shaky free throw shooting, and sometimes negative demeanor.

LeBron’s defense was objectively bad this season. A former five-time All-Defensive First Team pick and perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, LeBron appears to be treating defense like an afterthought these days.

Too many times, LeBron was caught standing around doing nothing while opponents moved the ball and moved their feet to get layups, dunks and wide open jumpers against the Lakers.

LeBron has done more than enough in his career to prove himself as a clutch performer — one cannot win three Finals MVP awards without being clutch — but free throws in big moments were a problem for him this season.

There was the overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs in which LeBron missed two free throws that would’ve given L.A. a three-point lead and not left the door open for the Spurs’ eventual game-winning shot.

There was the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in which LeBron missed a free throw in the final minute that would’ve cut the Grizzlies’ lead to one point.

There was the loss to the Phoenix Suns in which LeBron missed two free throws in the final minute that would’ve cut the Suns’ lead to three points.

At least when LeBron missed two free throws with under 20 seconds to go and L.A. trailing the Atlanta Hawks by one point, he redeemed himself with a put-back dunk that won the game.

Overall, LeBron shot a career-worst 66.5 percent at the line this year.

During what was no doubt a frustrating season, LeBron also didn’t do the Lakers any favors with his attitude on the court.

Every NBA superstar complains to referees, so that’s no problem. In theory it’s fine to chastise a teammate every now and then — that has been a common practice of legendary champions from Bill Russell to Larry Bird to Kobe Bryant and others.

LeBron’s negative reactions to the mistakes of his young teammates became enough of an issue, however, that veteran Rajon Rondo called a team meeting to address it. LeBron may be accustomed to playing with experienced veterans who are less impressionable, but the young Lakers probably needed a leader who was more positive and encouraging.