Lebron is what in his 11th year? with 6 finals runs and numerous playoff runs, at this point just like Every other superstar he's gonna start losing a step in Athleticism... so what use to be easy trips to the basket, now come with a lil more of a contest and people willing to challenge it.
IDK if he went to the paint less this year, but if he did i def think it's a calculated choice on his part, we see it happen more With players as they get a little older.
But unlike, a pierce, Kobe, VC etc etc... Lebron has never really been to fond of taking that midrange pullup or that 15-18 foot post fade away. So once those guys realized getting to the basket is a lot harder than it use to be, it was already in their nature even at their athletic prime to take several of those shots.. Bron not so much.
If he's not gonna attack the post as much on drives he gonna have to do some significant work on bettering his midrange game & the varieties of ways he can get that shot off specifically.