“Toxic,” Huh? Turns Out LeBron James’s Lakers Are Actually Working

Roster had been criticized heading into season, but Los Angeles is now clicking.

LeBron James passes Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list during a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers  at Staples Center on November 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
LeBron James passes Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list during a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on November 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
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LeBron James’s reputation as a teammate and a franchise centerpiece took a hit off the court when rival Kevin Durant described the atmosphere around the Lakers star as “toxic” because of all the media attention. But worse, in the eyes of Durant, playing alongside King James requires teammates to drastically change their game.

Well, don’t look now, but it seems the Lakers didn’t get that memo.

A line-up that includes seasoned vet Tyson Chandler patrolling the paint and young guns like Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma taking shots has worked, leading to a surprising 15-9 record after a slow start.

“The mix of 30-something board-crashers and 20-something shooters is the perfect blend teams have tried surrounding James with since he launched into supernova best-player-ever mode,” writes SB Nation. “James is a pass-first legend until he needs not to be, and the attention he draws inside as he dribbles through the paint almost always leaves someone open.”

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