When LeBron James ultimately retires from professional basketball, his list of accomplishments will be staggering: the NBA`s all-time leading scorer, multiple championships, MVP awards, Olympic medals, and a record number of All-NBA selections. His career exemplifies extraordinary longevity, a standard rarely seen in the sport.

Despite such unparalleled success, James is not immune to criticism, particularly from younger generations on social media who sometimes downplay his offensive skillset, often saying he lacks a `bag`. Speaking on the `Mind the Game` podcast with Steve Nash and Luka Doncic, James addressed this specific critique.

Nash clarified the term `bag` as a `bag of tricks`, referring to a player`s repertoire of intricate dribbling combinations and creative moves designed to break down defenders. Players like Kyrie Irving are often cited as having one of the best `bags` in the league due to their exceptional ball-handling skills.

However, James expressed concern that too many young players, especially those developing through avenues like AAU basketball, are overly focused on cultivating this `bag` at the expense of more fundamental and team-oriented aspects of the game.

“When I was growing up, they weren`t talking about it,” James stated. “How I grew up was the least amount of dribbles needed to get to your spot. Michael Jordan wasn`t out there dribbling a thousand times. As great a handle as Isaiah Thomas had, Isaiah would get to his spot and raise up. All these guys I grew up watching, Grant Hill… Kevin Garnett, it`s good footwork, get over the top. If I`m bigger than you and I get you on my shoulder, my hip, I`m gonna use my size.”

He highlighted the disconnect between this modern critique and his reality. “I see it all the time, I`ll be on social media, and it`s like `LeBron has no bag.` LeBron has no bag, and I`m sitting here with 50 billion points,” he remarked sarcastically, referencing his scoring record.

Indeed, arguing that James lacks an offensive `bag` ignores how effectively he used his size, strength, and athleticism for two decades to dominate opponents and score efficiently. Even nearing 40, he still frequently drives straight through defenders. While he might not have the flashy dribble combinations of a Kyrie Irving, his method of getting buckets has proven incredibly effective. The `bag` conversation, as James points out, seems very much a product of contemporary basketball culture seeping into grassroots levels.

James urged young players to focus on a different approach. “Just play the game the right way, and I hope that our younger generation doesn`t get swamped by saying, `Okay, I need a bag,`” he said. “Work on your game, know what you`re going to be good at in order to help the team, and prove the next year to be a better player… There`s only going to be three guys maximum that`s going to be handling the ball anyways; we don`t need you to have a bag… You can make $200 million in the NBA if you defend and shoot a corner 3-pointer.”

The demand for reliable 3-and-D players (those who can shoot threes and defend well) remains high in the NBA, yet the supply is often limited. This scarcity can sometimes be attributed to players prioritizing complex offensive skills over foundational team needs earlier in their careers. As James suggests, mastering essential skills like defense and spot-up shooting can lead to a very successful and lucrative career.

Luka Dončić echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of players understanding and excelling within their designated roles for the team`s overall flow.

“Know what you do good, and do that,” Dončić added. “Don`t do something that you`re not good at; it`s not going to help.”