LeBron James' Shooting Struggles Show Signs of Decline
Photo: LeBron James / Instagram |
LeBron James, one of the NBA's all-time greats, is going through a tough stretch as he nears his 40th birthday. In his last four games, he has missed all 19 of his 3-point attempts. This slump is close to RJ Barrett’s record of 21 straight misses, but it’s not entirely new for James, who has had streaky shooting stretches throughout his career.
While shooting has never been his biggest strength, LeBron's ability to dominate in other areas has always made up for it. But in the Lakers’ 109-80 loss to the Timberwolves on Monday, there were signs of a deeper problem. James finished with just 10 points, hitting only 4 of his 12 shots from inside the arc. This season, he’s averaging 22 points per game, his lowest since his rookie year.
LeBron’s efficiency has taken a noticeable dip. He’s struggling to finish plays he used to dominate. For instance, he’s making 67.9% of his shots in the restricted area this season, down from 73.3% last year. In fast breaks, where he once thrived, his scoring has also dropped.
Photo: LeBron James / Instagram |
These numbers highlight a physical decline that’s becoming harder to ignore. LeBron has defied expectations of aging for years, but his recent performances suggest he’s starting to slow down. Despite this, he’s still a solid player. Even on tough nights, he remains a good scorer and excellent playmaker.
LeBron has always set a high standard, so even a small dip feels significant. As his 40th birthday approaches, it’s clear that Father Time is catching up. While he’s no longer the unstoppable force he once was, he’s still among the best the game has to offer—just not at the superhuman level we’ve come to expect. Source
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