Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on Apr. 14 that LeBron James delivered a remarkable performance during his 23rd NBA season, even as the veteran player missed the first 14 games due to injury. Redick described James’s commitment to maintaining his fitness and adapting his role for the team, which allowed Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to handle more of the primary playmaking duties.
Redick highlighted the significance of James’s efforts, especially considering his age and years in the league. “It’s a daily commitment,” Redick said about James’s routine to stay in shape. “You probably have to ask him exactly what it was, but I know there’s things that he’s cut out from his diet and there’s things that he’s done more of to get his body ready. I think it was really frustrating for him not to be there day one of training camp. It was really frustrating for him to not be there on opening night. He played in 60 of the 68 remaining games and he played in a bunch of back-to-backs.”
Redick continued: “He had, not a good season, not a great, he had a remarkable season all things considered. You take away the fact that he’s in his 23rd year and he’s 41 years old, he had a remarkable season. The fact that those things are real, and they’re very real in terms of the day-to-day management, it’s unbelievable what he did this year.”
James consistently made headlines throughout the year by reaching new milestones and leading victories for Los Angeles when healthy enough to play.
However, due to playing only 60 games this season, James is not eligible for All-NBA honors or other league awards—ending an All-NBA streak dating back to his rookie campaign.
Looking ahead at playoffs preparations, neither Luka Doncic nor Austin Reaves will be available at the start of Los Angeles’ first-round series against Houston Rockets because both players are still recovering from injuries.
