Firstly, ‘the third-quarter improvement’ promises were never fulfilled. The Lakers have been struggling in the third quarter and JJ Redick took note of the situation after the Nuggets game. But what happened was another third-quarter collapse in the next game. It looks like JJ’s words aren’t worth a lot these days. It’s worth making that statement. Because the rookie head coach had made a promise before as well to improve LeBron James’ longevity.

The Los Angeles Lakers dodged a repeat playoff sweep last season by the Denver Nuggets when their season stretched to April 29 instead of ending on the 27th. However, that slight reprieve couldn’t save Darvin Ham’s job, marking the end of his two-year run with the team. After that playoff exit, LeBron James recorded a podcast with the man potentially set to replace Ham.

JJ Redick.

Bron was advised then if he could improve his three-point shooting, he could play for many more years. Back in May, Redick had playfully quipped, “…playing another six years just being a spot-up shooter, maybe?” Keep in mind that JJ said this right after James mentioned,  “…shoot 8 to 10 threes per game…” 

Fast forward to the 2024-25 season and about a quarter of it has ended. But it looks like LeBron’s shooting has dipped in recent times. After tonight’s matchup, King James embarrassingly has 19 straight misses from beyond the arc in the last 4 games.

LeBron James has seen the NBA evolve from a paint-dominant game to a three-point frenzy. Despite never being known for his deep shooting, this current stretch is easily the roughest of his career. It’s strange to see the King, who’s been a force for so long, hit a rough patch like this, especially with all the hype surrounding him.

Bron had his best three-point shooting season last year, ironically under Darvin Ham, with a career-high 41%. But this season, his numbers have dropped to 35.7%, down from a solid 43.4% before this rough patch.

The Lakers, who have struggled with three-point shooting all season, need their savior LeBron James to step up in a big way. If he doesn’t find his rhythm soon, it could hurt the LA team’s chances.

Has LeBron James passed on the torch to Anthony Davis?

The Lakers are off to a 12-9 start, mixing solid wins against playoff-caliber teams with frustrating blowouts. With JJ Redick taking over as head coach, Anthony Davis has stepped up as the clear leader. AD is putting up career-best stats, averaging 28.6 points, shooting 37.5% from deep, and grabbing 11 rebounds a night.

Meanwhile, 39-year-old James has adjusted his role, allowing his scoring partner to take the reins while still delivering when it counts. Triple-doubles are still part of his repertoire, but his focus has humbly shifted to supporting AD’s leadership and conserving energy for key moments.

Despite the changing dynamic, Anthony Davis isn’t shy about singing LeBron James’ praises. “He’s the greatest ever to lace up some shoes, [scored] over 40,000 points and he’s broken almost every record possible,” Davis told Fox Sports’ Melissa Rohlin. “He commands just so much attention… his IQ is very high, he plays the right way.”

Davis also addressed how age has influenced the transition. “Obviously, he’s getting a little bit older,” he said. “But he’s still able to compete at a high level every night.”

This evolving partnership highlights the respect and chemistry between the two superstars. Anthony Davis’ increased offensive output and LeBron James’ strategic leadership have kept the Lakers in the mix in a stacked Western Conference. If their synergy continues to grow, this duo could set the stage for another deep playoff run—and maybe even give the 22-season veteran a shot at solidifying his GOAT legacy with one more championship.