LeBron James’ defensive intensity this season has lit a fire for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.

As the Lakers inch closer to the start of the Western Conference playoffs, the 35-year-old is playing with an extra pep in his step — especially on the defensive end. James is posting a defensive rating of 102.8, which is a 4.8-point improvement from last season — and his best rating since the 2015-16 season.

He’s also posting a defensive real plus minus rating of of +3.93 — the second-highest DRPM rating behind Rudy Gobert, who has won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice.

Needless to say, young Lakers teammate Kyle Kuzma has taken notice of James’ escalated play, showing his teammates that it’s “championship time.”

Via Christian Rivas of Silver Screen and Roll:

“Seeing him play defense just lights a fire under everyone’s butt,” Kuzma said of James. “It’s championship time, and he’s just being a great leader by showing us the way. Especially starting on the defensive end, (in) year 17 getting after it. He’s had great leadership throughout the quarantine, training camp and even now.”

Although James did miss the postseason last year during his first season with the Lakers, it was the first time since the 2004-05 season that the four-time MVP missed the playoffs.

The veteran forward has carved out a reputation for playing with added intensity in the last games of the regular season and during the actual postseason.

While James did struggle during the Lakers’ most recent loss to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night — just 20 points in the 107-92 loss — he did lead Los Angeles to a huge win over the Los Angeles Clippers in their first game of the NBA restart — including the game-winning bucket with just 12.8 seconds remaining in the game.