Following a second-round exit to the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James reflected on the four-game series.
Head coach JJ Redick came up with a great game plan to contain the back-to-back MVP, but there was a clear talent advantage favoring Oklahoma City. James came away thinking that Gilgeous-Alexander deserves the same respect from defenses as Milwaukee Bucks two-time MVP and champion Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“If you don’t treat him with the same level of respect that you treat Giannis with… When Giannis gets a rebound, everyone talks about get back and load to Giannis. Get back, set the defense and load because if not, he’s punching gaps right away and he’s on the rim right away. You don’t look at Shai like that from a physical standpoint because you look at him and you’re like, well, he’s not 6’11”, he’s not bulky strong like Giannis, he’s not super physical like Giannis downhill,” James said on the most recent episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast.
“But, then you realize he absolutely is when you’re on the floor. He uses big shoulder, he uses off arm, he uses your speed against you when he has you backpedaling and now he’s using that against you. So, if you’re not back with two guys, three guys loading to the basket, loading to the basketball with Shai with the ball, he’s going to punch those gaps. He’s going to get to the rim and he’s going to finish or he’s going to get to the free throw line because now you’re off balance.
“So, you have to treat him with Giannis level of respect in the open floor and that’s just the first part. And then you have to account for him in the half court as well. But, you have to do that before he even gets started because he’s just that damn good.”
That is what makes Gilgeous-Alexander an upper-echelon talent in the NBA with his ability to manipulate defenses. If opponents are not disciplined and not showing their hands, he will use those shortcomings against them, whether it makes for a good viewing experience or not.
L.A. did a great job making the Thunder MVP see multiple bodies, crowd his space, but it allowed for other players like Chet Holmgren, former Laker Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell to get going. Sure, opposing teams can prevent Gilgeous-Alexander from getting 25 or 30 points, but how are they going to contain the Thunder’s role players when they get going is a conundrum yet to be solved.
LeBron James happy to go into offseason without needing rehab
James’ basketball future hangs in the balance as he evaluates all his options, but most importantly decompresses from a grueling 23rd season. While he missed the first 14 games of this year with sciatica, James finished the year without any looming health issues.
Which, at 41-years-old, is a massive feat and he himself is happy that he can enjoy his offseason without needing to rehab.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
