NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers

2. What does Playoff LeBron look like in 2020?

The last time we saw LeBron James in the postseason, he averaged 34.0 points with 9.1 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game. It was a level of singular dominance rarely seen before that dragged the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2018 Finals.

As lackluster as the Lakers have looked in the bubble, there’s an assumption that LeBron has a similar gear to reach, one to compensate for any Laker weakness just as it did in Cleveland. But a lot has changed in the more than two years since his last postseason appearance.

For one, James is two years older. As well as he continues to defy age in his 17th season, there were subtle signs of decline. LeBron attempted a career-high 6.3 3-pointers per game this season with his lowest free throw rate ever.

The ability to get to the basket has been the staple of James’ Hall-of-Fame career. It gets him easy looks at the rim and generates open shooters his superb vision allows him to find.

What James didn’t have in 2018 that he does now is Anthony Davis, a defensive anchor who can carry his share of the offense in ways no Cavalier could. That should make LeBron’s life easier with the eyes of defenses consistently on someone besides him.

Even with a reliable co-star, the Lakers have done little to ease James’ responsibilities as the lone floor general worth playing. That might not matter given the load he typically assumes come playoff time. He played just under 42 minutes a night in 2018.

Already exhibiting signs of attrition, perhaps James might be in for the first true showing of limitations that could affect LA’s title chances that already appear on the decline.