The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hoops Tonight: Why LeBron James is #8 on My NBA Player Rankings | Los Angeles Lakers

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Jason (The Volume)

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Hoops Tonight," Jason breaks down his reasoning for ranking LeBron James at #8 in his annual NBA player rankings. The conversation digs into the polarizing nature of LeBron's current legacy, challenges the dominant narratives about his decline and durability, and thoroughly details how LeBron’s all-around impact still stands among the league’s elite—even at age 40. Later, Jason briefly reviews the off-season exhibition (Eurobasket) form of fellow NBA stars Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, emphasizing physical condition and performance trends.

Main Themes & Purpose

• A reasoned, data-backed case for LeBron James as the #8 NBA player despite widespread criticism and age-based skepticism.
• Examination of how aging superstars are evaluated differently than younger peers.
• Breakdown of LeBron’s statistical production, on-court roles, and how his multi-tier performance levels throughout the season affect his ranking.
• Brief scouting on the summer form of Jokic, Doncic, and Giannis ahead of Eurobasket.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. LeBron’s Polarizing Status and Evaluation Standards

Timestamps: [02:25]–[08:25]

• LeBron remains incredibly divisive, a legacy rooted in historical rivalries, fan loyalty, and generational divides.
• LeBron is criticized on a "negative curve" by many fans because of what he once was, rather than honest comparisons with today's stars.
• Jason:

  “For whatever reason, LeBron gets graded on, like, a curve in the negative sense by most basketball fans…we’re going to talk about his durability. The way it's discussed doesn't make any sense.” [05:00]

2. The Durability Myth

Timestamps: [08:25]–[10:45]

• LeBron’s health and availability are misrepresented:
  • Over the last two seasons, he’s played more games than nine of the other top 14 ranked players (including Kawhi, Embiid, Wembanyama, Doncic, Giannis, Brunson, Durant, Davis, and Mitchell).
  • Only Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Anthony Edwards are clearly more reliable night-to-night.
• LeBron has never missed a playoff game in his career.
• Jason:

  “It’s crazy the way that LeBron gets looked at as this old, broken down dude, when he’s sneaky been one of the most reliable players in the league over the last couple years.” [07:15]

3. Statistical Production and Offensive Evolution

Timestamps: [10:45]–[19:42]

• 2024–25 Season Averages: 70 games, 24 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists; two players achieved 24/7/8: Jokic and LeBron.
• Shooting splits: 51% FG, 38% 3PT, 78% FT, 57% eFG, 60% TS.
• High-volume efficiency in pick-and-roll, decent (but declining) iso/post play.
  • Pick & roll: 1.05 points per possession (78th percentile), 17th among high-volume PnR players.
  • Above-average, but no longer dominant, in iso or post.
• Remains an elite playmaker (6th in assists per game).
• Catch-and-shoot and off-ball performance is strong (45% on unguarded catch-and-shoot jumpers; 1.35 ppp vs. Minnesota).
• Still an elite finisher at the rim (11th in total rim attempts, 4th in efficiency).
• Jason:

  “Old man LeBron James attempted the same amount of shots at the rim as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this year…That’s old man LeBron. That’s what he did last year.” [19:42]

• Efficient transition scorer (9th most transition points per game) and deadly cutter.

4. The Three Faces of LeBron: Season-to-Season Variance

Timestamps: [22:00]–[30:00]

• Jason describes three "versions" of LeBron during the season:
  1. Top-Tier Superstar (rare, but MVP-caliber)—e.g., a 16-game peak:

     “From January 28th to March 6th…averaged 29 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists on 65% true shooting…while anchoring the best defense in the league.” [26:10]

  2. Second-Tier Superstar (his most frequent form).
  3. Third-Tier Star (short, early-season stretches, marked by ‘meh’ production and questionable defensive effort—floor: 22/8/9 on 57% true shooting, only about 11 other NBA players reach even that for a season).
• Defensive effort fluctuates, especially early in the season.
• Jason:

  “LeBron's basement as a player is 22, 8, and 9 on 57% true shooting—a level of production only about a dozen players in the NBA can achieve.” [24:35]

5. Why LeBron is Ranked #8, Not Higher

Timestamps: [30:00]–[35:00]

• LeBron’s “floor” is lower now due to aging, particularly via stretches of defensive laziness and occasional lack of offensive burst.
• His “ceiling” remains among the elite—he’s had stretches this year that many top players have never reached.
• Health and availability are properly considered; his decline is overstated relative to young, less-durable peers.
• On/Off numbers: This year’s negative net rating with LeBron on the floor is a statistical outlier (every other year, teams have been far better with LeBron on).
  • Why? Lineup oddities, LeBron anchoring weaker bench units, not a sign of individual decline.
• Jason:

  “If you’re under the impression that [LeBron] was hurting the team, frankly, you’re an idiot.” [34:15]

6. Evaluating Other Eurobasket Stars

Timestamps: [41:25]–[49:10]

• Luka Doncic:

  • Physically leaner, looks quicker, but as strong as ever.
  • Excellent in early friendlies; finishing and floater touch returning.
  • Needs to add mid-range jumpers for sustainability.

• Nikola Jokic:

  • Might have added weight (muscle or fat), but moves well.
  • Adam Mares (Nuggets commentator) suggests more weight may benefit Denver in the playoffs.
  • Jokic is dominating in post-up friendlies.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo:

  • Small sample, but looks physically dominant.
  • Mid-range jumper continues to improve, a promising trend as he ages.

• Jason:

  “We got three of the top four players in the world playing in this tournament. We should get some really high level basketball.” [49:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LeBron’s negative “grading curve”:

  “For whatever reason, LeBron gets graded on, like, a curve in the negative sense by most basketball fans…” —Jason [05:00]

• On durability across superstars:

  “LeBron’s been sneaky one of the most reliable players in the league over the last couple years.” —Jason [07:15]

• On LeBron’s statistical company:

  “Guess how many NBA players averaged at least 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists last year? Two. Nikola Jokic and LeBron James.” —Jason [11:52]

• On LeBron’s “basement” still outpacing most stars:

  “LeBron's basement as a player is 22, 8, and 9 on 57% true shooting—a level of production only about a dozen players in the NBA can achieve.” —Jason [24:35]

• On a rare negative on-off statistic:

  “If you’re under the impression that he was hurting the team, frankly, you’re an idiot.” —Jason [34:15]

• On Luka’s transformation:

  “I can see several examples of Luka looking like he has that extra burst while still having the strength to power through people.” —Jason [41:45]

Structured Summary of Key Segments

[02:25–08:25] — LeBron’s Polarization and "Negative Curve"

• Why LeBron attracts louder skepticism than other stars, and how historical rivalries fuel it.

[08:25–10:45] — Debunking the Durability Myth

• Hard numbers contrasting LeBron’s availability with other superstars.

[10:45–19:42] — LeBron’s Offensive Impact & Adaptation

• Deep dive into LeBron’s play type stats, role evolution, rim finishing, and passing acumen.

[22:00–30:00] — The Three Tiers of LeBron

• Analysis of LeBron’s varying performances through the season, their causes, and implications.

[30:00–35:00] — Why LeBron is #8

• The logic behind a mid-to-high ranking; discussion of age, consistency, and on/off stats.

[41:25–49:10] — Eurobasket Updates

• Jason’s observations on Luka, Jokic, and Giannis’s conditioning and play style in summer exhibitions.

Final Thoughts

Jason’s argument for LeBron at #8 offers both broad context (e.g., age bias, durability myths) and granular detail (play-type analytics, roles, ceiling/floor analysis). The episode is recommended for listeners interested in nuanced basketball analysis and those wanting to reconsider common narratives around NBA legends in their late careers.

Next up: Player #7 on Wednesday.