LeBron James has faced criticism recently for his performance on the defensive ebd of the floor, but the Lakers star isn't buying into what others believe.
James explained he's not concerned about whether teams want to attack him on the defensive end.
“I mean, every team has the right if they want to single me out defensively. Come on with it,” James told Yahoo Sports on Wednesday. “Hey, listen, come on with it. Every team has the right to be like, ‘Oh, ’Bron’s over there.’ Hey, just come on with it. … We’ll see what happens.”
James' comments come after he helped the Lakers defeat the Pelicans, 125-119, by posting 33 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, two steals and a block in 37 minutes.
“I really don’t care. Criticism doesn’t bother me,” James said. “I love to play the game and my teammates know what I do for them and that’s all that matters. … The only thing motivating me is how I can try to help my teammates be successful and trying to win ball games.
“So if [teams are] switching out on me with a guard and me having to try to get a stop, I mean, guys, they’re going to score. These are NBA players. I just try to make it tough on them. I tried to make it tough on Julius [Randle] all night, and obviously he was a monster [with a game-high 35 points], but I tried to make it tough on Jrue as well. To be able to get that stop for our team and then be able to make that shot for our team, that’s motivating for me. That’s all that matters to me.”
A six-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, James has led the Lakers to a 30-31 record. L.A. is in 10th place in the Western Conference and three games back of the eighth and final playoff spot, which the Clippers currently hold.
The Lakers, who haven't made it to the postseason since 2012-13, are 23rd in the league for points allowed per game this season.
