Luka Doncic's usage rate has reached a career high! Meanwhile, LeBron James' usage rate with the Lakers has dropped to his career low.

Yesterday was not the first time Luka Doncic declined to shoot a three-pointer in a critical game moment. It's uncertain whether he has a mental barrier that stops him from taking such key shots. If successful, he's celebrated as a hero; if not, no one will fault him.

After the game, Luka explained his last refusal to shoot: "I knew I was open, but I felt the shot was slightly too far. I wanted to dribble one more step closer; maybe I shouldn't have stopped the ball and should have driven straight in."

When asked if he thought LeBron had a better shooting opportunity, Luka said: "I saw he was open at that moment. I didn’t want to risk a turnover, and we had no timeouts left. But like I said, I shouldn’t have stopped the ball; I should have driven directly. I thought I could get a clean shot off, and that responsibility is on me."

LeBron James was in good spirits after the game and wasn’t bothered by the failed final play. He said: "I think he (Doncic) had a chance. It seemed like he lost his balance or couldn't find his rhythm with the ball. That gave the defenders a chance to recover. When he passed to me, I was also a bit off balance. I believe he had a chance. That’s my perspective."

Doncic still needs to build confidence in the final moments of games. So far this season, in the last 90 seconds of the fourth quarter, he has never made a shot to either take the lead or tie the game. Other Lakers players’ stats: LeBron 2-for-5, Reaves 2-for-2, Hachimura 1-for-2, LaRavia 1-for-1.

Doncic needs the ball in his hands to perform at his best. Statistics show his usage rate this season is 37.8%, the highest of his career. Reaves has a usage rate of 28.7%, also a career high. Meanwhile, LeBron’s usage rate is only 28.4%, his second lowest ever, just above his rookie season’s 28.2%.

Hachimura and Ayton have their career-low usage rates, and Smart is at his lowest in nearly nine years. If Doncic reduced his usage rate and played more off-ball, might that improve things? Despite his high usage, the on-court synergy between Doncic and LeBron hasn’t been effective.

Their plus-minus when playing together is the worst among all Lakers pairs this season, at -82; when both are on the floor, the Lakers’ offensive efficiency ranks 5th worst in the entire league.

Either LeBron and Doncic stagger their playing time, or Doncic lowers his usage rate. Otherwise, there seems to be no solution.

Renowned reporter Marc Spears stated on a show: "In the NBA, few players understand how to close out games better than LeBron. Although Doncic is outstanding, I still want the ball in LeBron’s hands."

“LeBron can drive to the basket himself or pass to Luka on the perimeter or to Reaves. I don’t think LeBron should be the one inbounding the ball in clutch moments. He should receive the ball to attack. He’s a great finisher, but he hasn’t been given the chance to close out games.”

LeBron is averaging just 16.3 shots per game this season, the lowest in his many years with the Lakers. His scoring average is 21.7 points per game, also the lowest of his Lakers career.

Many fans feel sorry for LeBron, thinking this season might be wasted again. With only 25 regular-season games left, the Lakers have little time to fix their issues. Since joining the Lakers in 2018, LeBron has won only one championship in eight years, which is clearly insufficient for a league icon like him.

Those middle years were tough for all of us. Now, in what might be his final one or two seasons, we hope LeBron can make one last run for a championship and retire with glory.