LeBron James Makes All-NBA Third Team: Why It Raises Tough Questions for the Lakers

LeBron James has made the All-NBA Third Team. On the one hand, it's a remarkable achievement, given his age and mileage. The level of play he put out this year was pretty remarkable, even before considering how long he's been at it. There isn't much, if any, precedent. On the other hand, the reason James made the third team and not first or second? 56 games. That's how many he played, and it's the third year he's missed a significant number of games since joining the Lakers. So on the one hand, LeBron James is still demonstrably excellent. On the other, it's getting harder and harder to rely on James to be on the court to demonstrate that excellence. So what do the Lakers do? When it comes to figuring out how "in" to go with a James-led team, whether "all" or something more conservative, balancing the paradox of James is a real pickle. Can the Lakers make enough improvements around him (and presumably Anthony Davis) to not squander his final seasons, as seems to be the fear? Would desperate attempts not to waste James only put the Lakers in a deeper hole than they already are? The answer to this question frames basically every decision facing the team this offseason, and getting to it is really, really hard. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: LeBron James makes the All-NBA Third Team. Why it's a good thing and a problem at the same time. SEGMENT 2: James can no longer be relied on to stay healthy. How does that impact the way the Lakers can build around him? SEGMENT 3: How big a championship opportunity do the Lakers need to make an "all in" play worth it? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Check out PrizePicks.com and use promo code: “NBA” or go to your app store and download the app today. PrizePicks is daily fantasy made easy! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices