LeBron James Makes His Feelings Clear on Lakers’ 1-5 Record in Last 6 Games

After the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their fifth defeat in six games, LeBron James shared his feelings on the team's struggles. The Lakers were no match against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, especially without Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton.

Speaking to reporters after the Lakers' 132-116 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, James liked the fight he saw from his available teammates. He's also confident about regaining their rhythm amid a rough patch midway through the season.

"At the end of the day, nobody is feeling sorry for us, nor are we looking for it. The guys that are available, we got to go out there and play our game, play the way we want to play offensively and defensively and just try to right the ship until we get whole," James said, via Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

With Doncic and Ayton out, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber were inserted into the starting lineup. Vincent scored just three points, while Kleber had 11 points. Drew Timme had the best game of his career, finishing with 21 points, four assists and two steals off the bench.

James had 20 points in 32 minutes, going 6-for-16 from the field and adding nine rebounds and six assists.

Wild LeBron Stat Emerges After Loss

At 41 years old, LeBron James is the oldest player in the NBA for the third straight season. James is also in his record-breaking 23rd year in the league, continuing to stave off Father Time.

After the Los Angeles Lakers' loss at the Moda Center, Tom Haberstroh of Yahoo! Sports dropped a jaw-dropping stat about "King James."

"Portland's Yang Hansen becomes the 1,822nd player that LeBron James has played against. There have been 5,384 players in NBA history. Which means that LeBron James has played 33.8% of all players that have played in the NBA," Haberstroh tweeted.

That's a mind-blowing fact since James has played against a third of all players who have suited up in an NBA game since 1946.

With averages of 22.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 assists per game this season, it seems the four-time MVP still has a lot left in the tank. He's on an expiring contract, so he could be in his final year, at least with the Lakers.

James Praises Blazers Star

Before Saturday's game, LeBron James had a lot of kind words for Portland Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija. James and Steve Nash discussed the rise of Avdija into a potential first-time All-Star on the latest episode of the Mind The Game podcast.

"He's a physical, physical driver to the rim. And if you don't have a body in front of him…if you're on the side of him then he's gonna get that foul call. He's super physical, especially going downhill to his right hand. He's worked a lot on his outside shooting, too. … This year, in particular, I've seen him extend his range and make some shots from the perimeter at a more consistent rate," James said, via Lakers Nation.

Avdija is in his second season in Por tland and sixth in the NBA. He started his career with the Washington Wizards after getting drafted ninth overall in 2020. He's averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.