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LeBron James isn’t showing the same explosiveness when attacking the basket as he once did, and Philadelphia radio host Jack Fritz isn’t hiding his disappointment with what he’s seen from the 41-year-old in his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
James’ offensive production has dipped substantially in Year 24, and while the 76ers continue to thrive, Fritz is already feeling a “little bit let down.”
Asked whether James has met his expectations thus far, Fritz, co-host of the “WIP Afternoon Show” on Philadelphia’s 94.1 WIP, called attention to the 22-time All-Star’s waning athleticism when driving and finishing around the basket.
“I definitely thought there was a little more in the tank, personally,” Fritz said. “I’m not saying he had to be high-flying and dunking all the time. I think the thing that is jarring to me, boy, when he tries to drive, and he tries to do the thing where he can just run someone over, he gets like two inches off the ground, and it’s not the same as it used to be with the touch around the rim.”
Through 10 appearances in Philadelphia’s first 13 games, James is averaging 15.1 points per game while shooting 43.2% from the field and 23.7% from 3-point range. His scoring and long-range efficiency marks are both career lows by wide margins.
Tuesday’s 123-101 home loss to the Boston Celtics offered the latest look at the veteran’s offensive drop-off. James managed 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting (33.3%), including 1-for-6 from deep (16.7%), in 29 minutes, though he added 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Celtics outscored Philadelphia by 17 points with him on the floor, with Jayson Tatum’s third-quarter poster dunk on the future Hall of Famer going viral.
James has topped 15 points just once in his last five outings, a sharp decline for a player who has been a nightly 20-plus-point threat throughout his storied career. Still, Fritz gave him credit for his savvy playmaking:
“I think passing-wise, he seems to be getting more comfortable with the guys, like he’s making some sick passes … which is good.”
Fritz’s larger concern is what the 76ers can count on from James once the stakes rise:
“But again, I think part of the appeal of LeBron is to feel like in the postseason, you can just give him the ball and get out of the way, and I don’t think that’s gonna happen … So again, thrilled he’s here, I’m enjoying having him here, but I would say I’m a little bit let down.”
Despite James’ slow start, the 76ers sit second in the Eastern Conference (10-3), with fellow stars Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and, to a lesser extent, Joel Embiid helping pick up the slack on his off nights.