The Los Angeles Lakers are implementing a new plan to help LeBron James extend his prime into the 21st season of his illustrious career. Rather than simply reducing his playing time, the team aims to surround James with more talent to lighten his load. Lakers coach Darvin Ham emphasized that James takes excellent care of himself, but the team wants to ensure that other players step up and contribute early in the game.
Managing James’ Minutes
Despite turning 39 in December, James played an average of 35.5 minutes per game last season. While this was slightly less than the previous season, it still exceeded his playing time in his first three seasons with the Lakers. Although James remained statistically impactful, his body has faced some challenges. He missed 27 games due to a torn tendon in his right foot and has missed a total of 111 games due to injuries in the past five seasons. This is a significant increase compared to the 71 games he missed in his first 15 years in the league.
Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, Rob Pelinka, commended James’ work ethic and dedication during the offseason. Despite their disappointing postseason exit, James displayed a staggering commitment to his physical and mental preparation, approaching his 21st season as if he were a rookie. Pelinka praised James for his early morning workouts, constant presence in the team’s facilities, and dedicated time in the weight room. This level of commitment has set the tone for James’ teams throughout his career, and the Lakers are witness to this increased dedication.
Building a Supportive Roster
Pelinka ensured that the Lakers maintained the core of last season’s team by securing contract extensions with key players such as Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt. To complement these established players, the Lakers added youth, athleticism, and shooting ability to their roster. The signings included guard Gabe Vincent, forward Taurean Prince, big man Christian Wood, center Jaxson Hayes, and swingman Cam Reddish. Additionally, the Lakers added two rookies, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis. This strengthened roster aims to support James and alleviate some of the pressure on him throughout the season.
Partnering to Prioritize Health
Pelinka stressed the importance of partnering with James to ensure his health and longevity. The Lakers want James to reach the end of the season without any major injuries, as it is one of his personal goals. The depth, versatility, and shooting ability of the new roster additions will enable the team to manage his playing time more effectively. Additionally, Lakers coach Darvin Ham shared that they will strategically plan James’ rest days throughout the long 82-game season. By analyzing the team’s schedule month-to-month and considering different sections of the calendar, they aim to find opportunities where James can reduce his load.
While both Ham and Pelinka support the NBA’s new resting policy, Pelinka proposed an alternative solution. He mentioned discussions with the competition committee about eliminating back-to-back games altogether. The Lakers have 15 sets of back-to-back games in the upcoming season, an increase from the previous year. Pelinka believes that eliminating back-to-back games would provide players, including James, with more rest and recovery time. This potential new rest policy would be more beneficial in managing player minutes and reducing the risk of injuries.
Reaffirming Russell’s Role
The Lakers made it clear that D’Angelo Russell will be their starting point guard for the upcoming season. Despite being benched in the Denver series during the playoffs, Russell has the full backing of the team. Ham expressed his belief in Russell’s basketball intelligence and encouraged him to be assertive on the court. The Lakers value Russell’s passion, pride, and dedication to both his individual performance and the success of his teammates.
Overall, the Los Angeles Lakers are focused on maximizing LeBron James’ prime years and managing his minutes effectively. By building a supportive roster, strategically planning his playing time, and advocating for improved rest policies, the Lakers aim to extend James’ remarkable career and increase their chances of success in the upcoming season.
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