NBA fans are seeing a new version of LeBron James during the 2025-26 NBA season.
For the first time in his NBA career, LeBron James is finally showing clear signs of decline during the 2025-26 season.
In fact, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar also failed to continue his incredible double-digit scoring streak.
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On top of that, LBJ is averaging just 16.5 points per game for the Purple and Gold. However, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony feels James could still average 30.0 points per game if he really wanted to.
Carmelo Anthony on LeBron James’ reduced scoring output
Over his 19-year NBA career, Anthony faced off against James a plethora of times and even played together with him.
Keeping that in mind, Melo certainly knows a thing or two about the Lakers star’s scoring ability, as he explained the reason behind his reduced scoring output on the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast.
“If he said, ‘Yo, I’mma go average 30.’ He’s gonna do it. In year 23. Bro, he was in year 22, averaging 27, 26. It ain’t that much changed since 4 months ago,” Anthony began.
He added: “It’s just more that he’s taken a step back. I’m just saying, if he wanted to, he could go out there and average 30 points.”
With the duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves handling the majority of the scoring burden has allowed James to focus on his playmaking.
However, the King is certainly capable of going off for big scoring nights, as he proved during the Lakers’ solid win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Carmelo Anthony says averaging 30 PPG is easy in the modern era
Melo may have never won an NBA Championship, but he’s regarded as one of the most prolific scorers of this generation.
He further bolstered his point about LBJ’s low scoring by explaining how it’s easy to average 30.0 points per game in this era.
“It’s not hard to average 30 points if that’s what you do today. If I want to go average 30 points, I’m conditioned enough to go average 30 points,” Anthony continued.
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He concluded, stating: “It’s easy to score 25 points today if that’s what you do. It’s not a coincidence that these guys are scoring the way that they are – that’s what the game is inviting.”
Either way, right now, James and the Lakers’ focus is on improving their defense. After all, they have plenty of firepower on the offensive end of the floor, but lack a dominant defensive unit.
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