LeBron James is ready for action.
As the Lakers get ready to open their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach JJ Redick made it clear that James isn’t just the face of the franchise—he’s the heartbeat of the team’s defense.
In comments shared with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on Friday, Redick explained how James has taken command of the Lakers’ defense heading into the postseason, acting like a floor general on that end of the court.
“Quarterback is an offensive position, but he's the quarterback on [our] defense,” Redick said. “A lot of that is his voice and his IQ.”
The Lakers have leaned heavily on James’ leadership, especially when it comes to in-game adjustments and defensive communication. Redick pointed to a play during a recent win over the Rockets as a perfect example.
“There was a play in the first half where [Reaves] switched onto a big,” Redick recalled. “Within half a second, Bron was screaming at him, ‘Scram! Get out, AR! Get out of here!’ Plays like that really connect our defense.”
When James missed time in March with a groin strain, the Lakers’ defense noticeably struggled. But since his return on March 22, they’ve gotten back on track.
With Game 1 set for Sunday night, Redick is trusting LeBron to anchor the defense—and keep everything organized.
His voice, vision, and timing are what set the tone for the Lakers’ playoff push. And according to Redick, it’s not just about what James does with the ball—it’s how he commands everything without it.
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