JJ Redick Makes Drastic Change to Help LeBron James, Luka Doncic Over NBA’s Unfair Treatment

The league’s player participation policy is considered largely ‘unfair’ by the modern basketball community for not considering player fatigue and aging veterans. Redick did consider that with his team before arriving at the decision that shootarounds aren’t a major factor for the Lakers’ progress.

It’s not uncommon in LA, actually. In 2020 and 2021, the Lakers avoided shootarounds to minimise the risk of COVID-19 exposure as well as protect LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

This time the move is of course specifically designed to safeguard LeBron James on the other side of 40.

JJ Redick is managing the shorthanded Lakers’ mileage

The Lakers’ latest adjustment will accommodate a 41-year-old superstar with a 26-year-old high usage playmaker. Especially in a team where the depth has been inconsistent. LeBron and Luka have largely carried the team since Austin Reaves has not been around to share the offensive load. Overworking them could make them injury-prone. And Doncic has had his fair share of scares.

The decision has come at a time when Bron made a clear declaration about his mileage. He said he’s “TBD” for any and all back-to-backs since turning 41. Since starting his 23rd season in November, he’s not played in one game in a back-to-back set. The Lakers played one set and have two more coming up.

When James sat out the second of a set against the Spurs, the diminished offensive suffered a 107-91 beating. And this is right after Redick redesigned his rotation to ensure at least Doncic and James are on the floor across four quarters. It showed that at some point, they have to incentivize James to play consecutive nights while he deals with nerve pain and an arthritic foot.

James is already unbothered about the NBA’s 65-game rule. He’s played in 19 games so far this season and averaging over 33 minutes. It contrasts Denver’s frustration with the rule jeopardizing Nikola Jokic’s MVP eligibility.

Luka Doncic stands to benefit from that. He is currently leading the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game and topping All-Star votes. The change allows him to preserve his energy for the high-intensity fourth quarters. The Lakers used to fumble the second half but now Doncic closing the final quarters has become the way to avoid that.

The Lakers play the Kings tomorrow and the Hawks the day after. We’d have to wait and see if Redick sets a new standard of managing veteran players with his move.