Skip Bayless brings up LeBron James manipulating media to mask his performance flaws: “LeBron is much better at making narratives than he’s at making free throws”

LeBron James and the LA Lakers have had a rough start to the season by many accounts. After going on a horrific losing streak, the team was able to pick up their first win of the season with Russell Westbrook coming off the bench. Since then, the blame that was placed on Westbrook for the team's shortcomings has shifted.

With James missing the team's recent loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday, talk has begun to shift to his health. Since joining the Lakers, James has continued to set new career lows for games played. Prior to joining the Lakers, James had never played less than 62 games a season.

Since then, however, three of his four seasons have set records for the fewest games he has played in a season.

The lingering injuries have without a doubt changed the way James plays. Throughout the course of this season, analysts have noted that the NBA great lacks the explosiveness that he had in the years prior. The way Skip Bayless sees things, it's hard to tell the extent of James' injuries:

"My only issue with LeBron over time has been he is the all-time master media manipulator. With help from Maverick Carter, who is a genius, and Rich Paul, who has genius about him also. They know how to manipulate the media. LeBron is much better at making narratives than he is right now at making threes or free throws."

Bayless went on to explain that the way LeBron James casually mentioned he had been sick over the weekend was a masterclass in manipulation. James included the fact that he and his wife missed a Halloween party while talking about his illness.

Although Shannon Sharpe pointed out that James looked off, Bayless countered by noting the big minutes he played.

The conversation, which took place on Tuesday morning's episode of "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" can be seen below. The comments regarding James begin shortly after the three-minute mark.

Has 'Father Time' Caught Up To LeBron James?

During the segment, Sharpe and Bayless spoke about a series of commercials that Nike has been airing on TV. The commercials, which feature LeBron James and Jason Momoa, show LeBron competing with Father Time.

Each commercial shows James and Father Time engaged in a competition from planking to battle ropes. Sometimes James wins, and sometimes Father Time wins, showing that age is beginning to catch up to the NBA star.

The way Bayless sees things, the commercials may be a little more realistic than everyone thought. Although LeBron James has put up solid numbers, his 3-point average and his free-throw average are career lows. Whether or not that's the result of injuries, his age, or a combination of the two, the Lakers will have to find a way to win.

Just this offseason, the Lakers star signed a two-year extension worth $97.1 million. Given how much he will make over the course of the next three years, the team will likely have trouble if they opt to move him.

Check out one of the LeBron vs. Father Prime commercials below!