LeBron James returned to the Lakers lineup, but his comeback hasn’t immediately restored the team’s rhythm. The crew started very well with 25/26, despite the absence of James, who has been out due to sciatica. Upon his return, his record looked good, but offences weren’t like how Luka Doncic was pulling the strings with Reaves as his deputy. JJ Redick has been vocal about the struggles, clearly frustrated with the lack of organization and consistency since LeBron returned to the court.
Despite the criticism and the limelight on losses, James is still quiet. Former teammate Dwyane Wade explained that the superstar is staying focused on preparation and improving his game, rather than getting distracted by the noise.
Lakers’ Offense Falters But LeBron James Seems Calm
The Lakers’ recent games have exposed weaknesses in execution. Most notably, the Christmas Day loss to Houston was a stark reminder of the gaps. 23 boards outrebounded Los Angeles, and basic defensive and offensive principles broke down repeatedly. JJ Redick addressed the struggles directly on December 26, 2025, per RealGM:
“Since we’ve gotten Bron back, we haven’t been as organized offensively. Too many random possessions. That’s on me. It’s those three things: defensive clarity, role clarity, and offensive organization.”
JJ Redick says the Lakers have had issues since LeBron's returned
"Since we've gotten Bron back, we haven't been as organized offensively. Too many random possessions. That's on me. It's those 3 things: defensive clarity, role clarity and offensive organization." pic.twitter.com/IpD2m7eT9s
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) December 28, 2025
HC made it clear that the responsibility starts with him, not the four-time MVP James. Fumbling their rhythm, the team can’t find a steady flow: scoring sputters while familiar moves fall apart. Houston’s match exposed it: sloppy shifts, cramped court presence, players failing to guard the boards. These aren’t new hiccups, but they’re built into how things work now.
LeBron’s focus has remained unshaken. According to Clutch Points, legend Dwyane Wade stated on December 27, 2025, that James is likely at his golf simulator rather than stressing over criticism. His calm veteran presence provides stability while the team works to regain consistency.
The Lakers responded with a structured practice at the UCLA Health Training Facility on December 28, 2025. As reported by The Sporting Tribune, the session emphasized “recalibration and reconnection.” Coaches walked the players through fundamental drills, shell defense, and rotations repeatedly, focusing on restoring habits rather than introducing new schemes.
Players acknowledged the need to step up their game. DeAndre Ayton took accountability for rebounding lapses, saying, “Holding my guys accountable, especially starting with me. We stick to these principles.” Rui Hachimura admitted the team had lost focus after an early, intense stretch:
The Lakers’ offensive slump is evident, and JJ Redick has acknowledged the issues while taking responsibility for them. Still calm, LeBron leans on what he knows instead of answering every voice that questions him. Right now, the group needs to get back to basics, find a rhythm again, then sharpen their aim, halting the drop just in time to save what comes next.
