Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick won’t have LeBron James defending at the point of attack, but he will use the GOAT's communication and rotations to boost the team’s defense. They started 10-4 without LeBron, despite being 15th in defensive rating. King James made an immediate impact in his return, and may be LA’s only hope of turning into a top ten defense.
Everyone is excited to have LeBron back. The 40-year-old was second-team All-NBA last season and remains elite. The Western Conference is loaded with talent, and the Lakers need LeBron to play like a superstar to make a deep playoff run.
The Lakers' defense was better than the sum of their parts last season, with James playing in an off-ball roaming role. Coach Redick plans to tap into that and was quick to give props to Marcus Smart for his ability to fill in when LeBron needs a rest.
JJ Redick wants LeBron James to be the voice of the Lakers' defense
Redick gave James high praise in his assessment. The 40-year-old is not the prime defender fans remember from when he led the Heat or the Cavaliers to championships. LeBron is still using his basketball IQ and communication to make an elite impact on that end of the floor.
Fans can read coach Redick’s full quote about LeBron’s defense below.
“I think it’ll be similar to last year. We’re not going to ask him to chase around primary scorers for 40 minutes a game. It’s just not what he’s able to do. Him, and Marcus (Smart) has been great with this too, being just the voice, the communicator for our defense, providing the necessary physicality. In terms of shifts and close-outs, he was the best we had on our team last year. He’s capable of doing all that stuff. His ability to execute what we’re trying to do is at a very high level.”
The Lakers found a rhythm without LeBron, but the GOAT makes any team better. James can thrive as a scorer, playmaker, shooter, and defender even at 40 years old. Fans saw him play small ball five last season with success. LeBron can still do it all.
There will be regrettable moments like this, where LeBron gives up a wide-open 3-pointer. That is bound to happen to anyone. The Lakers are still figuring things out with James, but fans should be excited about the potential. They shut down the Jazz in the second half of his first game, and LeBron will unquestionably make their defense better in time.
King James became the first player ever to play in his 23rd NBA season. He continues to make history and change the game. LeBron will improve the Lakers' defense, which was already middle of the pack. This could be a special season for the purple and gold, especially if LeBron is elite in the role head coach JJ Redick has planned for him.
Never doubt LeBron James. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship in 2020 and is now playing off Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. They may be the best Big 3 in the NBA if James continues to play at an All-NBA level. The excitement should be growing in Lakerland. LeBron is finally healthy, and fans are just getting to see this team. The best is yet to come, so stay tuned.