Welcome to the Morning Shootaround, where every weekday you’ll get a fresh, topical column from one of SI.com’s NBA writers: Howard Beck on Mondays, Chris Mannix on Tuesdays, Michael Pina on Wednesdays, Chris Herring on Thursdays and Rohan Nadkarni on Fridays.
LeBron James and the reigning champion Lakers are on the cusp of first-round elimination, and it’s not difficult to pinpoint why.
Playing with more weight on his broad shoulders without fellow star Anthony Davis, the 36-year-old hasn’t been able to produce the way he’s used to when he pushes toward the basket against the Suns.