LeBron James had an impressive return to the court Tuesday night, after missing five games with sciatica. His unbelievable talent and leadership ignited the Los Angeles Lakers’ offense, propelling them to a season-high score. He averaged a touch length of just 2.46 seconds throughout the game. That’s the least amount of time on the ball for him since player tracking started in the 2013-14 season. His quick ball movement was an excellent sign of that adaptation. It also set the tone for the entire offensive attack that day.
Lakers coach JJ Redick got an interesting new look at his starting five. With James back in the mix, he feels more confident about the team’s potential. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has always been known for his basketball intelligence, as noted by a longtime Western Conference executive who referred to him as “the smartest guy I’ve been around in terms of basketball intelligence.” In particular, with James on the floor, the dynamics of the team change drastically, presenting both challenges and opportunities for his integration.
James missed all of training camp, the preseason, and the Lakers’ first 14 games. Even with this abnormally early setback, he showed he could still play in the all-pro realm. He scored 11 points and dished out 12 assists against the Utah Jazz, displaying promising chemistry with new teammate Deandre Ayton. This impressive performance raises questions about his long-term role under the new regime. He would benefit from a complete overhaul of how he plays to be more conducive and cooperative with his teammates.
A New Era of Play for the Lakers
With James returning just in time for the Lakers. It’s clear at times that they’ve been having trouble keeping time without him. His quick ball movement has played a big part in expanding the team’s offensive potential, that potential reaching its height in this past game. James is supporting rising artists such as Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic. Their synergy certainly will be a major point of interest going forward.
“I just love the ball movement, the dominance between Luka and AR kind of running the whole show,” – LeBron James.
As he gets worked back into the rotation, James’ role will obviously change. He’s always been the focal point of the offense. One Eastern Conference executive speculated recently that his usage won’t be so great moving forward. “LeBron’s going to take 15 shots a game,” a team source said, suggesting there would be more of a focus on redistributing shot attempts between the trio.
While the chemistry between players such as Doncic and Reaves is hard-earned during his absence, the question looms as to how the transition period will be. “It’s tough because Luka and Reaves have good chemistry now and they’ve gotten used to doing it one way,” noted Rivers. “You bring in another guy that needs the ball and dominates the ball.” This optimism is propelled by the general sentiment that it’s tough to fit a superstar back into a well-oiled machine.
The Path Forward
As James gets reintroduced into the flow of play, it’s not only physiological changes he has to worry about, but psychological as well. For that to happen, he will need to cede his role as the team’s primary scorer. This will allow for younger players to finally have their real opportunities to overtake those players. His status as a winner remains intact. He’s won four titles and made the Finals ten times in total.
The executive’s observation about Ayton benefiting most from James’ return could signal a new chapter for both players. “LeBron makes people look good. [He’ll feed Ayton] lobs and dump-offs at the rim,” remarked one Eastern Conference executive. These are the kinds of contributions that should help Ayton make a bigger difference at both ends of the floor.
James’ style of delivery is going to be a lot more blunt going forward. “It’s going to be really telling if guys [are] still upset about the shot attempts if you’re winning,” a team source told ESPN. This line signals a clear departure from the previous emphasis on individual performance to winning together as the new priority over personal metrics.
Along with adapting to improve his style of play, James is putting an emphasis on building chemistry with teammates, too. He recently praised Doncic and Reaves for their performances, indicating a willingness to support their roles within the team framework.
“He sees things that other people can’t,” – Luka Doncic.
Future Considerations
Even as LeBron James deals with the emotional ramifications of this current in-between time, he’s simultaneously making some massive financial decisions about his own future. He rejected an $89 million extension this past offseason. For context, he could sign a max contract this summer valued at up to $241 million. This financial angle introduces a whole new level of complication to his return and in-season performance.
While James’ playing style can at least partially account for his All-Star caliber production, it’s fair to say things have significantly changed since his last full season. “He might still play at an All-Star level, but circumstances have changed,” noted an Eastern Conference executive. Getting used to all these new things will be key for both him and the Lakers as they look to make noise in the postseason.
With LeBron James’ return, the Cavaliers are getting more than just another star player. More importantly, it presents the opportunity to reset a unit that’s floundered in his absence. The trick is to strike a balance that allows for the success of the individual players, without losing sight of developing the full well-rounded unit.
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