An injury kept LeBron James from playing in the Los Angeles Lakers’ opening-night matchup with the Golden State Warriors. Persistent sciatica pain in his lower back and right leg held him off the court. Even when James wasn’t able to contribute on the court, he was committed to being with the team. He made the addition to a film review session following the Lakers’ frustrating 119-109 defeat. He remained in his seat wearing a dark suit and Penny Loafers with glasses on as he commanded the room with intensity while watching from the back of the bench.
The Lakers, who were embarrassed in their season opener, are not going to have James reevaluated for at least one to two weeks. Reports suggest that he won’t play at all until at least mid-November. James, as the focal point of the team’s strategy, has made this nagging injury a source for concern about the state of the team moving forward.
James was an active participant of that film session, sharing his thoughts and reactions, while the coaching staff went over what needed to be improved. JJ Redick, former NBA player and current ESPN analyst, called James’ presence vital.
“I told them him asking questions, him giving his input, us having a back-and-forth is so healthy,” – JJ Redick
The Lakers watched the tape from their elimination game against the Warriors when they struggled to find shooters on the break. Redick acknowledged that this was the main point of emphasis in their defensive game plan.
When this happens, Gabe Vincent, a guard for the Lakers, agreed with Redick that everyone. He identified “glaring” things that need to be improved but was motivated and somewhat reinvigorated by the review process.
“It wasn’t as bad as we thought it was. It’s a couple things that we can clean up on that could easily change the way the game went,” – Jarred Vanderbilt
What’s more, the team’s atrocious three-point shooting really stands out, as they shot 8-for-32 while the Warriors shot 8-for-19. This gap revealed a critical point of focus as they prepare for the competition again, hoping to do better when it counts most. Vincent noted that if these problems are addressed, there’s the potential for a night and day difference in future games.
As the Lakers get ready to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, things are going to be difficult for them in the meantime without their main man. Luka Doncic’s availability will be just as important to their next meeting, making the coming days extremely important for both teams.
With the news that LeBron James won’t participate, it’ll change how both the Lakers and the league approach the game. They’re focused on proving themselves after an opening-night loss. Beyond his leadership, his experience on court has been invaluable. Finally, his vocal and often boisterous involvement in the huddle demonstrates a true commitment to their triumph.
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