ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith says Los Angeles Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James is going to remind everyone he's “that dude” next season.

James missed the playoffs this past season for the first time since his second year in the NBA. The four-time MVP suffered a groin injury on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors and missed 17 consecutive games. The Lakers went 6-11 during that stretch and fell out of the playoff race.

LeBron has been the best player in the NBA for over a decade, but since he missed the postseason last year, a lot of people are starting to put Kawhi Leonard and even others above The King in their player rankings.

Stephen A. says after a summer of rest, James is going to be refreshed and lead the Lakers to the title:

“I think LeBron James is going to be a monster this year,” Smith said on his radio show. “I think him being out of basketball since April for the first time in nine years, I think all of those things serve to provide an incredible source of motivation for LeBron James. LeBron James is that dude. Ya'll must of forgot. And I think he's gonna remind everybody.”

LeBron averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists in his first season with the Lakers. If those are “washed numbers,” then James has set the bar pretty high for himself.

With Anthony Davis by his side, James has the second star to lead the Lakers on a championship run in the rugged Western Conference.