'Since Dec. 12 and the Lakers' in-season tournament victory to claim the first NBA Cup, James has brought the ball up the floor 30.6 possessions per game -- 50% more than he did in L.A.'s first 23 games. His touches per game: up nearly 20%. His passes per game: up 23%. His minutes per game: up more than 8%, up to 36 per game.
But the Lakers are losing James' minutes by a wide margin over this span, outscored by 118 points when James is on the floor. It is his worst plus-minus over a 15-game stretch since joining the Lakers.
"It's just too much on Bron right now," one rival player whose team recently defeated the Lakers told ESPN. "Everyone is just going to pack the paint and try to frustrate him because they need a lot. Speed. Playmaking. Shooting."'