How Los Angeles Lakers Overcame ‘Irritated’ LeBron James
At 6-2 so far on the season, the Los Angeles Lakers look like one of the best teams in the NBA, and have done it entirely without LeBron James and partially without
Austin Reaves has played like an All-Star, both as the chief option and as a supporting player. As a result, the Lakers seem to be ahead of schedule.
With their James-less success, the Lakers have been urged by some not to mess with a good thing. Sounder minds will tell you that James is one of the most versatile players in
When the Lakers kicked off their season on a high note, James was accused of looking disengaged and negative on the bench. As the wins pile up, he seems more and more bought in.
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Dalton Knecht #4, LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up before a preseason game against the
How Los Angeles Lakers Won Over LeBron James
In the past, a “checked out” James has been detrimental to teams. As the Lakers thrived without him, making him somewhat redundant, there were concerns that he would force his way out.
As winning feels more and more sustainable, however, James appears to be the team’s top cheerleader. Not only are Reaves and Doncic stuffing the statsheet, but the Lakers are playing winning basketball. They rank 16th in defense, which isn’t elite, but is solid, especially without James.
“He was into it,” said ESPN’s Tim Legler on the All-NBA Podcast’s November 3rd episode. “He had some adrenaline to him in street clothes last couple of games.
With a better defense and plenty of scoring options, the Lakers look the part of frontrunners, giving James plenty of reason to be excited.
However, one big question remains: how does he fit on the roster once he returns from injury?
How Lakers Will Add LeBron James to the Lineup
Based on the Lakers’ success without James, it seems like he should be willing to slot into the third option role. Fans are yet to see James play this season, and there’s a very real chance that he’s still a better player than Reaves.
James could also take on a more aggressive defensive role, or he could play off-ball. However, the Lakers have found success with two dominant scorers and have been urged to stagger the lineups so two of the three are always playing.
“What’s going to look like when he comes back for Austin Reaves?” asked Legler. “Obviously, you can’t have quite the same usage. But here’s what I do think will happen, a
By staggering the stars, one will always be fresh,
Romeo Doubs Steps Up as Packers Rally Around Tucker Kraft's Injury
When tight end Tucker Kraft went down with a season-ending injury during a critical game against the Detroit Lions, the entire Packers’ locker room felt the impact. Kraft had been a key part of Green Bay’s offense, and his loss could have left a hole in their offensive scheme. However, it was the unexpected response of wide receiver Romeo Doubs that has gotten fans buzzing.
After Kraft was carted off the field, Doubs immediately approached his teammate in the locker room, offering words of encouragement and support. “Seeing Tuck go down hit me hard — we all feel it,” Doubs said after the game. “But I told him right there: you rest up, we’ve got your back. This is our team, and every guy in this locker room is ready to step up when it matters.”
Doubs, who had been working hard on building his chemistry with the young quarterback Jordan Love, acknowledged the emotional weight of the situation but stressed the importance of unity. “We’ve been through ups and downs as a team, and we know we’ve got to rally together. We’ll miss Tuck, but we’ve got to focus on the next man up and keep pushing forward.”
Fans are praising Doubs for his leadership and his willingness to step into a role of responsibility when the team needed it most. His words resonated with teammates and helped set the tone for what would become a resilient performance in the following weeks.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur echoed Doubs’ sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the team's mentality moving forward. “Romeo showed exactly what we want to see in this locker room. He’s been stepping up as a leader, and when we lose a guy like Tuck, that leadership becomes even more critical.”
As the Packers continue their season without Kraft, Doubs will likely be asked to take on even more responsibility. His commitment to supporting his teammates has only further solidified his place as one of the team’s most respected figures.
“It’s all about the team,” Doubs added. “We’ve got to stay focused, stay together, and keep moving forward. Tuck will be with us in spirit, and we’ll do everything we can to make him proud.”
