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7 examples of LeBron James playing absolutely awful defence this season

And one reason why he’s still the best player in the game.

OVER THE LAST seasons LeBron James’ league-best wing defence has noticeably slipped. He went from being one of the most disruptive defenders in the league to just okay.

Running around like a maniac on D takes its toll, and there’s evidence that suggests LeBron has understandably dialed back his intensity on that end of the court.

But this year things have gotten worse, and his defence has been downright non-existent on occasion. There have been some Harden-esque lapses that you wouldn’t expect from the best player in the world.

(If you’re unfamiliar, LeBron’s the big number 23 wearing the headband)

1. Last night, he ushered Chicago’s Tony Snell right in to the paint

https://vine.co/v/Oj3x9ptVwx2

2. LeBron doesn’t bother to close down a three-point shooter against the Lakers

https://vine.co/v/OjW6rOneEdw

3. LeBron’s guy runs right past him for an open layup against the Raptors

https://vine.co/v/O17JIzKEZuM

4. Here, he thinks about helping out on D, but then thinks better of it

https://vine.co/v/OX3pTV9I0hu

5. Two on… none.

https://vine.co/v/ODjbaUwK7Wm

6. He’s basically just a traffic cone against the Raptors

https://vine.co/v/Or2ngATtMu3

7. LBJ runs away

https://vine.co/v/Oi1FFDxTHEB

It just shows that you can’t be great ALL of the time, but James is still an absolute genius at the other end of the court.

NBA / YouTube

Football in the Groin: Basketball edition

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    Mute Michael O' Riordan
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:46 PM

    Idiot!!

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    Mute Richard Crompton
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:57 PM

    Yes you are Michael.

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    Mute TheBlackMouse
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:02 PM

    Agree Michael – a bloody imbicile !

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    Mute Michael O' Riordan
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    Sep 18th 2013, 9:43 PM

    Go back to sleep Bosco!

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    Mute Daithi O' Regan
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    Sep 18th 2013, 8:33 PM

    One in a series of brain farts.

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    Mute Conor Cahill
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    Sep 19th 2013, 11:07 PM

    On an entertaining note, it was pretty surreal seeing this picture! No-one has ever had the gall like Tuilagi to do that kind of stunt like he did, especially behind David Cameron!

    On a more serious note, he’d want to be careful! Jumping off a ferry in Auckland and now doing a bunny ears salute behind the head of one of the most powerful people in Britain suggests immaturity! He’d want to cut that out, because that bring s a bit of a bad name to English rugby!

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