LeBron James is set to make his much-anticipated season debut on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz, marking a significant moment not just for the Los Angeles Lakers but for James himself. Over nearly two decades in the NBA, James has often carried the weight of entire franchises on his shoulders, much like the mythical Atlas holding up the world. His presence has been pivotal to the survival and success of his teams, but throughout his career, he has expressed a desire for this dynamic to shift. This aspiration was a driving force behind his famous decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010, seeking a team environment where the burden would be shared more evenly.
Back in 2017, James was already vocal about wanting to hand over the reins to younger stars, such as Kyrie Irving, signaling his readiness to transition into a different role. That was eight All-NBA selections ago, and since then, despite his efforts to distribute responsibility, the pattern of him being the dominant force on the court has largely persisted. When he joined the Lakers, the franchise made clear attempts to support him with capable ball handlers, and when that approach didn’t yield the desired results, James advocated for the high-profile—and ultimately unsuccessful—trade for Russell Westbrook. Despite these efforts, the team continued to rely heavily on James’s extraordinary talents.
This is hardly surprising given that James’s entire NBA career has been defined by his ability to take over games and carry teams. Outside of a few brief periods playing alongside other elite stars—like the peak years with Dwyane Wade in Miami or the early Cleveland days with Irving—James has been the central figure around whom his teams revolved. Although he has often spoken about sharing the workload and fostering a team-oriented approach, when game time arrives, deeply ingrained habits take over, and James naturally assumes control of the offense. And why wouldn’t he? He is LeBron James, one of the most dominant and versatile players in basketball history.
Even after the Lakers acquired Luka Dončić midway through last season, there was a fascinating dynamic between the two superstars. Dončić, a rising MVP candidate, led the team in shots and usage rates during the regular season, but at levels below his rookie-year peaks. James often deferred to Dončić for much of the game, yet in critical moments—particularly the fourth quarters of both the regular season and their playoff series against Minnesota—James stepped back into his traditional leadership role, increasing his usage and shot attempts significantly. This was understandable given that Dončić joined the Lakers partway through the season, and the passing of the torch was never fully realized.
One of the unexpected benefits of James’s current injury-induced absence is that it has given the Lakers a chance to develop their identity without the looming question of how James’s dominant presence would affect the team dynamic. Dončić has flourished as the clear leader, playing at an MVP level, but he has not been the only star rising. Austin Reaves is trending toward his first All-Star selection, Rui Hachimura is enjoying a career-best season, and Deandre Ayton is bouncing back strongly, providing the Lakers with much-needed interior presence. This group of players has thrived collectively, something James’s teams have seldom experienced because so often they depended on him to do everything.
Now, James is joining a team that, for once, doesn’t need him to bear the entire load—a situation he has long sought. This new chapter is unfamiliar territory for him, and his injury may actually play a constructive role in easing his return. James himself acknowledged after his first practice that his conditioning is far from peak—he described his lungs as feeling “like a newborn baby’s”—and that he will need time to regain his stamina through actual game minutes. The Lakers’ schedule over the next several weeks is favorable, offering a stretch of games against teams like the Jazz, Clippers, Mavericks, Pelicans, Suns, Raptors, and Celtics. The Lakers are expected to be favored in most of these matchups, assuming health, which provides a less pressured environment to experiment with James’s role and minutes as he reintegrates.
Despite his willingness to adapt, James will never be a mere role player. His talent and stature in the game make that impossible. However, the Lakers must find a balance that utilizes his abilities efficiently without demanding that he replicate the high-volume scoring averages of his past. Instead of needing 25 points per game