The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to look their best when Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves share the court together. This has especially come into focus recently as Reaves regained his All-Star form from earlier in the season while LeBron sat out three straight games due to injury.
In LeBron’s return to the lineup against the Chicago Bulls, the Lakers were able to continue their momentum while LeBron noticeably took a backseat in terms of offensive workload. While Luka exploded for 51 points and Reaves added another 30, LeBron took just 13 shots and finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the victory.
Afterwards LeBron spoke about his ability to adapt his game to whatever the Lakers need to win. Reaves echoed that point, noting how selfless it is of someone of LeBron’s stature to sacrifice his game for the betterment of the team.
“He’s one of the smartest guys to ever play the game of basketball,” Reaves said. “His ability to adapt and to figure out what the game needs is second to none. Like you said he was in a couple ball screens where he got behind the defense, was able to finish. Got a couple offensive rebounds, I think one for an and-1. When you got a player of that stature who’s willing to play the way the game needs him to play, that just shows how selfless he is and just is a leader by example for everybody in this locker room.”
The Lakers were without defensive leader Marcus Smart as well as reserve big men Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, two of the team’s best screen-setters and roll men. With the Lakers lacking size, JJ Redick relied on LeBron to anchor smaller lineups, and this meant doing some dirty work like setting screens and attacking the glass which LeBron handled with no issue.
Someone like LeBron, who is arguably the greatest player in NBA history, normally doesn’t have to adapt his game. It is usually everyone else who must adapt to him. But the fact that LeBron is willing to do whatever the team needs leaves no room for excuses for anyone else on the Lakers not to do the same.
JJ Redick advising Austin Reaves to be more aggressive for Lakers
One key to the Lakers success has been Austin Reaves getting back to his early season form since returning from injury and head coach JJ Redick has been pushing for the guard to be more aggressive.
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