Part 3/9:
The crux of Smith's argument lies in the assertion that LeBron has played a significant role in the Lakers' misfortunes. Instead of merely analysing LeBron's on-court contributions, Smith pointed out the decisions that led to the Lakers' struggles. The choices made during trades, particularly involving Russell Westbrook, have haunted the franchise. Westbrook’s tenure with the Lakers was marked by inefficiency and underperformance, attributes Smith equates directly to LeBron's influence in bringing him to Los Angeles.