The Los Angeles Lakers welcomed back LeBron James in their victory over the Chicago Bulls, winning their fourth straight game and seventh in their last eight contests. LeBron missed the Lakers’ prior three games, but had a solid performance in his return to the lineup.
LeBron finished with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, to go along with seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. More important, though, is that LeBron felt good physically after his time off.
“I felt pretty good,” LeBron said after the 12-point win. “I’ve been taking care of my body over this last week, haven’t played since the Denver game. I’ve been able to nurse a couple of things to get ready for tonight.”
With how well Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have played, there were some concerns about LeBron returning and potentially throwing off their rhythm. However, LeBron has always prided himself on being able to adapt his game to provide whatever the team needs, and with the Lakers down a couple of important role players, that’s exactly what he did.
“I mean obviously, like I said, I’m able to adapt to whatever needs from the team,” LeBron added. With Jaxson [Hayes] and Maxi [Kleber] being out, two of our really good screen setters, Jaxson being one of our best rollers, that’s a void that I could put myself in to help the team while Jaxson and Maxi are out. Just try to do that. Allowing AR and Luka to continue on the things that they’ve been doing. Obviously, ball handling, scoring, pick-and-roll play. Trying to help on the glass. I mean, I’m always past the ball, so I’m not worried about that. Also trying to be a little more active.”
Luka nearly finished with a 51-point triple-double while Reaves added 30 points and seven assists as he has returned to his All-Star form from early in the season. The Lakers, as a team though, have been playing at a higher level recently, and LeBron has taken note of everyone stepping up.
“I mean we played good basketball, obviously. Before even tonight, we won our last six out of seven,” LeBron noted. “So, we didn’t just win the previous two games. We’ve just been playing complimentary basketball. Like I said, AR and Luka offensively have been magical and dynamic. The rest of the guys, the energy and the effort. DA has been unbelievable as of late. Obviously, M-Dot (Marcus Smart) was out tonight, but Marcus has been great. Everybody was getting an opportunity and have just been playing at a high level. Like you said, that Knicks game and Minnesota game was just another bit of it.”
The Lakers are rounding into form at the right time and LeBron’s ability to adapt his game and fill in the gaps will be crucial to their success. Finding the right balance between Luka, Reaves and LeBron has been a struggle, but perhaps LeBron putting his focus on these other little things like screen-setting and rebounding can ultimately lead to greater team success.
JJ Redick discusses Lakers’ success without LeBron James
The Lakers looking so good while LeBron James sat out due to injury has been a talking point as some have wondered whether the Lakers are better without him. Head coach JJ Redick isn’t going that far, but he did give his reasoning as to why the Lakers have been successful when he’s been out of the lineup.
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