The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for the return of LeBron James, who has not played yet this season due to sciatica. Despite his absence, the team has achieved a 10-4 record. Head coach JJ Redick spoke about James’ participation in his first full practice with the team on Monday and discussed how the process of reintegrating him into the lineup will unfold.
“Yeah, we did a lot of live basketball, so he was able to participate in everything,” Redick said after Monday’s practice.
Redick noted that incorporating James back into the rotation will require adjustments. “I think when you add somebody who, when healthy, is going to play 35-ish minutes, that has an effect on the rotation, that has effect on guys’ rhythm like that’s just a natural thing that I think happens for any basketball team,” Redick said. He added: “There’s some continuity from last year with AR and him and Luka that I think we can build on, but truthfully, you can’t anticipate whether it’s going to be seamless or whether it’s going to be [indiscernible]. There are some little formula of things you got to add and if you put too much cinnamon in there, cookie’s not that good. So you gotta tinker with it and we will.”
James previously adapted his role when Luka Doncic joined the Lakers last season. According to Redick, there have not been significant changes to the team’s strategies since then. “There’s — in terms of an extra X’s and O’s, there’s not a whole lot that we’ve done differently,” Redick explained. “We’ve added a couple wrinkles to things. There’s one different set, you know, we talked through it today we introed it before the first Minnesota game. So, I think he’s comfortable. There was nothing today that we had to stop and be like, hey, LeBron, remember we do this. Nah, he’s pretty dialed. He’s been a participant in terms of his voice in film and his voice on the court in practice. So he’s been engaged.”
Redick also emphasized James’ adaptability throughout his career: “I would describe him as very adaptable,” Redick said. “Not just in my time, but he’s adapted throughout his career to the system, his teammates, what the game requires. The league has evolved. He’s evolved. That’s why he’s still in Year 23 and coming off of All-NBA season in Year 22, I think he’s always been able to adapt.
“And again, it’s not like, you know, playing with Luka, playing with this version of AR [Austin Reaves], it’s not like he hasn’t done that already. He did it for two and a half, three months last season. So I don’t expect it to be perfect, but I also don’t expect it to be like, Oh these guys have never seen each other and met each other and don’t know each other’s name. They know what each of them bring. And it’ll be fairly positive from the get go.”
James’ status for Tuesday’s game against the Utah Jazz remains uncertain as he continues monitoring how his body responds following practices.
