LeBron Blamed For Hurting Lakers' Chemistry

LeBron James and the Lakers are struggling to climb their way back into post-season contention,and it is believed that James' close relationship with his agent Rich Paul and the all-in bid for Anthony Davis has damaged the team's chemistry.

"He killed the [Lakers'] chemistry," an NBA executive told Bleacher Report. "He shouldn't have been so public about it. Even during the All-Star Draft, he laughed about [wanting Davis to be his teammate]."

These reports follow LeBron's controversial comments where he questioned his teammates' urgency. 

"When you've never been there or know what it takes [to win at a high level], sometimes you're afraid to get uncomfortable. You've got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable," James said. "It's how you approach the game every day...Is basketball, is that the most important thing, why we're doing this. Is this the most important thing in your life at this time?"

This comes after the Bleacher Report spoke with Laker Film Room's Pete Zayas, who says that LeBron's defence isn't what it used to be. 

"LeBron rarely exerts himself beyond a casual job in transition defense and disregards spot-up shooters in most half-court situations, leaving them wide open," Zayas explained. "His defensive game these days resembles a disinterested center rather than the high-end wing defender that he once was."

"He's been doing that [hard offensive play] all year. He's been [coasting on defence] for a few years now."