For parts of two seasons, LeBron James and Luka Dončić played together with the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles won 50 games in 2024-25 and 53 in 2025-26, reaching the postseason both times. In the offseason, the four-time MVP left the West Coast for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Dončić now leads the NBA in scoring average, while both the Lakers and 76ers sit atop their respective conferences. Yet, former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague offered a different perspective on the former Dallas Mavericks star’s play without James, prompting plenty of responses on social media.

NBA Social Media Chides Jeff Teague Over His LeBron James Comments

Before becoming a podcaster, Teague played 12 NBA seasons, earned one All-Star selection and won a championship in 2021.

On his “Club 520” podcast, the former Atlanta Hawks first-round pick argued on Tuesday that James’ presence limited Dončić’s freedom within the Lakers’ offense.

Jeff Teague says LeBron James was holding Dončić back:

“He had to dumb down his abilities a lil bit with LeBron, you know? He was still phenomenal but, you know, LeBron is LeBron he still holds a certain standard. Like these dudes right here, they going to fall in line.”

Fans quickly pushed back.

“These guys don’t watch basketball. Luka was ridiculous last season and led the league in scoring. Literally just go watch what he was doing in March last year before he got injured,” one X user asserted.

Last season, Dončić won the scoring title at 33.5 points per game. He is averaging 39.3 points this season, compared with 33.5 last season, while playing roughly the same number of minutes and recording slightly fewer assists.

“Luka was literally doing the same (expletive) (expletive), LeBron played off ball hella and his usage was below that of luka and reaves. These (expletives) don’t know (expletive) they’re talking about. If anything, Bron sacrificed his own abilities to propel Luka,” a basketball influencer stated.

Dončić played point guard last season and controlled much of the Lakers’ offense. James, meanwhile, often operated as a point forward and primary distributor.

“#blameBron when Luka led the league in usage and points last year with Bron smh,” one user said.

According to NBA.com, Dončić had a usage rate of 36.8%. This season, it’s 39%, while James stood at 26.2%. Those numbers suggest Dončić already carried a larger offensive role alongside James.

“This has been Luka’s game from his Dallas days. His game is to dominate the ball and take a lot of shots. He is also a good passer. Defense, lack of stamina (towards the end of games), complaining to the refs (and losing focus) are his weaknesses,” another X user commented.

Conditioning and defense have been recurring talking points around Dončić throughout his career. Through his first 10 games, the six-time All-Star is averaging 2 steals per game, a potential career high.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, meanwhile, is averaging fewer than 20 points per game for the first time in his career. His 32.9 minutes per game also represent a career low. The Sixers are 9-2 and sit atop the Eastern Conference.

“LeBron wasn’t holding him back… I can see LeBron flourishing with this laker team way better than what we’re seeing in Philly… The man is literally on the same team out east with 3 mvp candidates,” one user interjected.

Both players have helped their teams to strong starts, and their paths could ultimately cross again if Los Angeles and Philadelphia reach the Finals.