LeBron James has settled in as the Los Angeles Lakers’ third option behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, helping fuel the team’s recent nine-game winning streak.
However, the Lakers finally suffered their first loss in weeks after a nail-biter of a matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Monday. Los Angeles managed to battle all the way back from a 16-point deficit to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get over the hump in the final minute.
LeBron James had a near triple-double in the loss, but didn’t score until the second half and only finished with 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting. James explained that his lack of shots is simply a by-product of playing a smaller role offensively.
“That’s the role that I’m playing for the ballclub,” James said on Spectrum SportsNet. “In order for us to win ball games, that’s the role that I’m playing. That’s just how the game was going.”
Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged that in order for the Lakers to be successful the offense needs to run through Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves because the two stars are able to get into the paint every possession and bend defenses. While James has shown he can still handle those responsibilities, it’s a tough ask for him to do it every time down the floor.
James has morphed into a tertiary ball-handler and finisher, even acting as more of a roll man and screener for Doncic and Reaves. However, James still has authority to take over possessions as he did in the fourth quarter against Detroit.
LeBron’s playing future remains an open question mark, but as of now he’s doing everything Los Angeles needs him to do in order for them to win games. There are still several games to go until the playoffs begin, but James thriving in his new role makes the Lakers that much more dangerous come the postseason.
LeBron James discusses what breaking NBA record for games played means to him
James’ longevity is one of the most impressive things in all of sports as it’s not normal for stars to still be playing as well as he is this late into his career. James has redefined an athlete’s prime and as a result he’s been able to set numerous NBA records.
For example, this past weekend James surpassed Oscar Robertson for the most games played in league history. While James said it was a normal prep day going into the matchup, he admitted it was a cool thing for him to accomplish.
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