Since turning 38, LeBron James has scored 90 points in two games. His coach wants more.
Darvin Ham on LeBron James playing 40 minutes:
— Derryl Watkins (ESPN) (@RhettAdkins09) January 4, 2023
“I just want to ride him. And he allows you to do that because he takes such great care of himself. So, it's a great luxury to have.”
(via @mcten, https://t.co/zYokA6NUXA…) pic.twitter.com/uCZoJkfJ3f
Ham wants to lean on his superstar, especially with Anthony Davis out, because the Lakers coach is interested in scoring. Scoring with LeBron, specifically, who has averaged 35.1 points in the eight games he's played since Anthony Davis went out with a stress injury.
James' coach isn't the only member of the Lakers who is impressed with his body. Austin Reaves told reporters, "He's always the first one in the training room, the first one taking care of his body and also getting the work in as well. So, to say the least, I'm happy."
Reaves added that "the way he moves" was incredible.
Ham isn't worried about James' load, even with him playing more than 39 minutes the past two games. Last week, Ham told reporters that James wouldn't "allow himself to be taken out of the mix. He does as great of a job as I've seen ever of making himself available and being able to produce physically at an extremely high level."
And since Davis still has no timetable for recovering from his painful bone spur, Ham is going to need LeBron playing hard on the back end of the season. But if his body can continue to take the pounding, Ham hopes he can ride James all the way into May.
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