Kenny Smith loses respect for LeBron James when he suffers a very painful injury: "He looks like an old man."

LeBron James remains the focal point of the Los Angeles Lakers, yet age, mileage, and recurring injuries now shape how analysts evaluate his impact, and discussions increasingly focus on things other than dominance.

At 41, James still orchestrates the offense, however the physical toll of two decades in the league shows in recovery cycles, late-game explosiveness, and defensive range, all of which fluctuate more noticeably from night to night.

During a recent segment on Inside the NBA, the panel examined the team's uneven season, and the conversation quickly pivoted from standings to durability, especially regarding how much James must carry offensively.

Host Ernie Johnson referenced James describing the campaign as either "very good" or "disgusting," prompting Kenn y Smith to frame that statement as evidence of age-driven inconsistency.

"You know what that sounds like, Ernie? Sounds like an old man," said Smith.

"When you wake up in the morning, sometimes I be like, 'Oh! I feel good.' And then the next day you will be like 'ahhh! Sciatica, it's hurting me.'"

He connected the volatility to sciatica, a nerve condition that can flare unpredictably, tightening the lower back and leg, and reducing burst, lift, and lateral quickness even when overall conditioning remains elite.

Rather than criticize James, Smith argued the roster should reflect this stage of career, since building around peak-era expectations creates strategic imbalance and leaves the team exposed when physical limitations surface.

That imbalance often appears on defense, where slower rotations and limited wing containment force additional help schemes, thereby opening perimeter looks and increasing pressure on the offense to outscore mistakes.

Th e Lakers secured a tense 125-122 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, initially building a comfortable cushion through efficient offense, crisp ball movement, and strong perimeter shooting across the first three quarters.

Luka Doncic delivered a dominant performance with 38 points and 11 assists, repeatedly breaking down defenders off the dribble, collapsing the defense, and creating open looks that kept momentum on the Lakers' side.

Despite leading by double digits, the Lakers allowed the Clippers back into the contest through turnovers and missed rotations, and the game tightened dramatically in the final minute as Los Angeles struggled to secure defensive rebounds.

James contributed 13 points and 11 assists, focusing on playmaking rather than scoring, and his controlled tempo helped stabilize late possessions, ensuring the Lakers generated high-percentage shots when pressure peaked.

The victory highlighted both promise and vulnerability, because elite sh ot creation can overwhelm opponents, yet defensive lapses still threaten leads, reinforcing concerns about consistency as the postseason race intensifies.

With the Boston Celtics next on the schedule on Sunday, February 22, the Lakers face a benchmark opponent, and the matchup will test whether their star-driven formula can withstand a deeper, more balanced contender.