LeBron James explains key factor behind team’s recent success

Lakers News: LeBron James explains the key factor behind team's recent success https://t.co/LoZw4uTAk2 via @bolavipus

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 22, 2024

After a rough patch earlier in the season, the Los Angeles Lakers have found their rhythm, posting a 4-1 record over their last five games. The return of LeBron James to the lineup has been pivotal to the team’s success, particularly in leading their defensive improvements that have been crucial to turning things around.

Despite shooting struggles in their recent victories over the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers’ defensive effort has been a key factor in securing wins. Both games saw the team battle offensive woes, but their defense held strong and ultimately led to back-to-back wins.

After the game, James acknowledged that in order to win, the team couldn’t rely solely on offense, which led to improvements on the defensive end. “We understand that in order for us to compete in every game and win games, we can’t rely on offense all the time,” James explained via Spectrum SportsNet. “We have to buckle down on defense.”

“I don’t know when that was, maybe six or seven games ago or whatever when our defense was not so good, I think it was that road trip where we went to Miami,” James explained. “But from that moment, we just started really sharpening our defense.”