The Los Angeles Lakers went 5-7 in December after starting the season 15-4, and their lack of defense was the main reason for their struggles during that month. They finished their December schedule ranked near the bottom of the NBA in multiple defensive metrics, and there may not be any easy solutions, especially given how short-handed they are right now.

Some have blamed LeBron James for at least part of their defensive shortcomings. James certainly doesn’t play nearly as much defense as he did years ago when he was considered one of basketball’s better defenders, and there are times when his defensive effort seems lackadaisical.

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During his new “Game Over” podcast, Rich Paul, James’ longtime agent and friend, pushed back on co-host Max Kellerman’s notion that the superstar has to put forth at least somewhat of a sincere effort on defense. Paul’s response was that a team shouldn’t have to depend on a 41-year-old to play well defensively.

“Normally it’s not the superstar guy that’s gonna be your all-defensive guy,” Paul said. “Even in LeBron’s case people get on him about the defense today, but we’ve seen it. … If you have to depend on a 41-year-old, we’re in trouble anyway.”

It’s true that the Lakers shouldn’t have to depend on a 41-year-old James to be their best defender. But he does have to contribute in a positive way on that end of the floor.

This season, James has a -5.6 net rating when he has been on the floor for Los Angeles, and the team has had a 1.5 net rating without him. When he has been on the floor, L.A. has had a 119.8 defensive rating, but with him off the floor, that number has improved to 115.5.

He doesn’t have to be the defender he used to be when he was regularly being named to one of the NBA’s All-Defensive teams, but he does have to help lead the way from the front. That is especially true when one considers the lack of above-average perimeter defenders L.A. currently has.

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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Rich Paul downplays importance of LeBron James playing strong defense