Surprisingly Weak LeBron James Statistic Could Be a Positive Sign for Lakers in NBA Playoffs

LeBron James’ unparalleled career longevity and consistent greatness in the NBA continue to defy all expectations. When you think about the history of the league, no one has sustained excellence like LeBron has for so long, and his achievements, especially as he enters his 22nd season, are almost beyond belief. But, as with all athletes, Father Time eventually catches up, and even the great LeBron James isn’t immune to the passage of time.

While it’s clear that James remains a top-tier player in the NBA, an advanced statistic in the 2024-25 season has raised some eyebrows—suggesting that perhaps LeBron is showing signs of slowing down, albeit ever so slightly. This stat, however, isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, but rather a reflection of how the game around him is evolving. Despite this trend, LeBron’s Los Angeles Lakers have still managed to rise to the No. 3 seed in the competitive Western Conference, and James is likely to secure another All-NBA selection as one of the league’s most accomplished players.

So, what’s this stat that has sparked conversation? It’s the plus/minus, an advanced metric that measures a team’s point differential when a particular player is on the floor versus when they’re off. In simpler terms, it tracks how the team performs while that player is playing—whether the team outperforms or underperforms compared to the opponent. For LeBron, this season ended with a plus/minus of -54, marking the third-lowest of his entire career. Odds Shark shared this statistic on X (formerly Twitter) on April 16, 2025, noting that the Lakers finished with a strong 50-32 record, despite this less-than-ideal plus/minus figure.

Of course, the plus/minus isn’t a perfect measure of a player’s influence. After all, basketball is a team sport, and LeBron doesn’t play in a vacuum. There are four other teammates on the floor with him at any given time, and five opposing players who can change the dynamics. This statistic, while insightful, doesn’t account for the contributions—or lack thereof—of teammates, nor does it reflect the fluctuating talent of opposing teams from game to game.

Despite these nuances, the Lakers are still viewed as one of the favorites for an NBA Finals appearance this year. According to ESPN BET, Los Angeles holds the fourth-best odds to win it all this postseason, a testament to the team’s overall talent and depth, even if LeBron’s plus/minus doesn’t look as polished as it once did. What’s more, James remains either the most productive or second-most productive player on the Lakers night after night, based on traditional statistics like points, rebounds, and assists.

Another key factor influencing the Lakers’ success this season has been the acquisition of Luka Dončić in a midseason trade with the Dallas Mavericks. Although Dončić has only played a handful of games since his return from a six-week calf injury, his presence on the floor has clearly increased the Lakers’ ceiling. Dončić’s return is a major boost, but it also highlights the importance of the Lakers’ supporting cast in achieving their strong finish to the season.

In fact, players like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and others have stepped up in a big way, contributing significantly to the team’s success over the final stretch of the season. These players have shown that the Lakers are more than just a one-man show led by LeBron. In fact, the collective performance of the team, particularly from players who have been in and out of the spotlight, might actually bode well for Los Angeles as they head into the postseason.

While the advanced plus/minus stat may raise questions about LeBron’s individual performance, it could also serve as a reminder that the Lakers’ success is no longer solely tied to their star player. The contributions of key role players, combined with the leadership of LeBron, have positioned the Lakers as serious contenders in the postseason, even if the stats don’t always tell the full story. As the Lakers enter the playoffs, the team’s depth and adaptability may prove to be just what they need to make a deep run for the championship.