The Los Angeles Lakers have started the season with a 10-4 record, despite LeBron James being sidelined due to sciatica on his right side. James participated in full practice with the team on Monday and reported feeling good afterward, suggesting his return may be soon.
This is the first time James has missed the beginning of a season. During his absence, he observed the team’s performance and expressed satisfaction with what he saw. “Seen a lot. Obviously, the road trip went pretty good. It was a good way to end the road trip in Milwaukee, that back-to-back starting in New Orleans. So those few games was very key,” James said. “Guys have just been, everybody enjoys being around each other and loves playing for one another. A lot of guys are sacrificing. For me, just seeing ways I can fit in organically. Right off the top, I know ways I can help this team right away when I am put back in the lineup.”
James praised his teammates for stepping up during his absence and while other key players were also missing due to injuries. “For me, just breaking down our team and seeing how well we’ve been playing both offensively and defensively for a majority of the season. I just love the ball movement, the dominance between Luka and AR kind of running the whole show,” he said.
He highlighted several players’ contributions: “And then DA just anchoring the back line with his ability to set screens, one of the best screen setters we have in this league, but also making himself available either for a pocket passes and the short jump shot that he has from 15 feet or getting lobs from behind the basket and then Jaxs kind of backing him up. And then everybody else, Jake and Rui and Marcus and everybody, Maxi big minutes against Milwaukee, some of the games that some guys were out and you saw Nick Smith and Bronny give production in that game in Portland off a back-to-back. Everybody, when guys numbers have been called, guys have been ready. That’s just straight professionalism and also everybody enjoying competing for each other and riding for each other.”
James also mentioned rookie contributions: “I don’t want to leave Gabe out, Vando, the rook got his first points the other night, that was awesome. Shoutout to Giannis for getting the ball, I don’t know what they were tripping about with that. That was just weird. There’s a lot of weird shit going on these days. But shoutout Rook getting his first points.”
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves handling ball duties during James’ absence—and given their success—the team may not need to alter its approach significantly upon his return.
Regardless of how he is used by head coach JJ Redick or where he fits into lineups as chemistry develops further throughout the Lakers’ season, James remains focused on helping achieve victories: “It don’t matter. I’m a ball player,” he said. “The best thing about me and the way I’ve built my game over my whole life and the coaches in Little League, I’ve never had a position. Spo used to always say ‘Positionless basketball.’ Be positionless.’ There’s not one team—not one club—in world that I cannot fit in play for—I can do everything on floor—so whatever this team needs me do—I can do it when I’m back myself.”
