LeBron James is back after a three-game absence. As the Lakers thrived without him, James returned with a different approach. Teammate DeAndre Ayton noticed immediately how the four-time champion adjusted his game to blend in.

James returned to the Lakers' 3-0 run and scored 18 points against Doncic and Reaves for a total of 51. While Bron struggled, he never looked like he was forcing. Among thousands of witnesses, including his teammate DeAndre Ayton, James, as he always does, was adjusting.

"I mean, that's LeBron, I think no great man fits him with anything, man. That's LeBron James," Ayton said. "He did a great job of just blending in," added the Lakers center.

"He had some big plays down the stretch where he was protecting the rim on multiple efforts, and I was just big cuz I was on the bench, and I was seeing how he played so well being a big as well, playing in that small lineup. That was pretty cool," he said.

Here is a better perspective. LeBron didn't attempt a single field goal until the second period. He constantly deferred to Reaves and Doncic and put more effort into the defensive end.

LeBron James reveals why he adjusted his return

In Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron gave the ball to Kyrie Irving in the last seconds. Not because he was afraid of the big stage, but because he trusted Uncle Drew to be a better-suited piece on the team to take that shot. LeBron has always prized winning, and it has never changed, not even now when he has nothing to prove.

Throughout the Lakers vs. Bulls game, James used a large chunk of his time on the floor playing off-ball and screening for his primary offensive teammates. His strategy of playing off-ball and screening for teammates was key to the Lakers' victory.

"If it benefits others, it benefits the team," James said. "Yeah, it is a sacrifice. I know what I'm capable of still doing as an individual, but what's important for this team, I'm able to adapt to. And the win is the only thing that matters."

Los Angeles faces Houston in their next contest on Monday. It's a far superior team compared to the Bulls. Will he adjust again?

Read more at the Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi