Los Angeles Lakers: Why it is not time to panic just yet

2. LeBron’s comments will motivate the team, not hurt it

Many are harping over the comments that LeBron James made and calling him a bad leader that is a hypocrite. LeBron pondering if basketball is the most important when James is making Space Jam 2 seems to upset a lot of people.

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I get that sentiment but James is not making that movie during the regular season and he is still producing elite LeBron James-level numbers. If he was not producing then sure, attack his comments. But he is.

This is not the first time that James had made comments like this. After a big loss to the Portland Trailblazers in November of 2014, James established that he was trying to bring a winning culture to a losing franchise. Granted, that was in November, but the message was identical.

Superstars make these kinds of comments all the time and they typically fuel a team to play better, not bring the team down. There is a difference between holding your team accountable like James is doing, and showing up to practice and cussing out the coach, as Jimmy Butler did.

It is not like the rest of the team is disputing this either as Kyle Kuzma even said that the team was playing with a lack of urgency. The message is obviously ringing loud and clear and when it comes from James, the young guys will listen.

I can guarantee you one thing: the media is taking these comments much harsher than LeBron’s teammates are.

For now the Los Angeles Lakers are fine. There is enough basketball remaining to close the gap. Ask me again in a week and that answer very well could be different.