The fact that the Los Angeles Lakers have been able to thrive so far this season while LeBron James recovers from sciatica is a credit to the entire team, but especially Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Most assumed Doncic was in for a monster season, but Reaves has performed at an All-Star level as well with some outstanding performances in the early part of the season.
Now, it looks as if James is set to return and while it is always good to get one of your best players back from injury, it could take some adjusting on the part of everyone to fit the 40-year-old in. Not only will players’ minutes change, but also their roles alongside one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history.
But Reaves isn’t concerned with that and feels that due to LeBron’s outstanding basketball IQ the Lakers’ star will figure out how to fit in seamlessly with this team.
“Yeah, man, I think there’s, we’re still as a whole group trying to, still figure out how to play alongside one another,” Reaves said. “Got some reps at it last year. But like I said, still a whole new team. I would assume that it’s gonna take a little bit to get fully used to. But once again, like I said, after the the Milwaukee game, he’s a student of the game. I’m sure he is been dissecting the game in whatever theory that he has to figure out a way to come back and make it seamless.”
James did an excellent job of this exact thing last season after the Lakers first acquired Doncic, switching to a more off-ball role while embracing more of a quarterback role on defense, ensuring everyone was in proper positions and communicating everything that needed to be. There are numerous areas in which LeBron can help improve this Lakers team upon returning, but Reaves couldn’t pinpoint one specific way in which he will help, instead believing that just his presence on the court will help lift the Lakers overall.
“I don’t know if there’s a specific thing, just presence,” Reaves added. “He’s, in my opinion, the greatest player to ever touch basketball. And I guarantee you, if you ask basically our whole team, a lot of the young guys would say he is their favorite player ever. So his presence, his ability to lift up a team and obviously his IQ. Yeah, it’s just, it’s good to have him back.”
James is one of those players that must be accounted for at all times when he is on the court and with his all-around skillset, he will almost always find some way to make an impact for this Lakers team every night.
JJ Redick discusses process of reintegrating LeBron James into Lakers’ lineup
Ultimately, the job of figuring out how to properly reintegrate LeBron James falls on head coach JJ Redick and he gave his thoughts on how he will best be able to do that with him noting that LeBron’s adaptability throughout his career should allow for him to have a positive impact on the Lakers once he returns.
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