The LeBron James conversation that changed the Lakers season

LOS ANGELES – During a recent episode of the ‘Mind The Game’ podcast, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James revealed a conversation he had with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves about how to play when he was on the court. He stressed playing their games and not trying to cater too much to him, that he would fit alongside them. James followed that up with a conversation with Lakers head coach JJ Redick, and it’s changed the team’s season.

Prior to the Lakers’ final regular season game against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, JJ Redick spoke about what was said during that conversation with LeBron James, and about his adaptability since Doncic and Reaves have been out with injuries.

“He just really wanted to do whatever was best for the team, and just wanted some, I don’t want to use the word ‘help,’ but clarification on what that would look like for him,” Redick said “And again, I think a lot of times those conversations probably would have happened way earlier in the season, but due to injuries and not having sustained stretches where those guys all played together, it didn’t happen till later in the season.

“I think when those three guys were in the lineup post All-Star break, they’ve been dominant. And now we need something different from him. He’s been great the three games he’s played since those guys got hurt.”

The Lakers have gone 2-1 in the three games James has played thus far without Doncic and Reaves. When playing with the Lakers’ other stars, he took more of a third option, off-ball role letting the two guards continue their hot stretch. But since they’ve been sidelined, he has shouldered more of the offensive load.

Each of James’ past three games have been vintage-like performances beginning with the 30 points, nine rebounds and 15 assists against the Dallas Mavericks, followed up with 26 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists against the Golden State Warriors and then culminating with 28 points, six rebounds and 12 assists against the Phoenix Suns.

With the likely reality of Doncic and Reaves not being available for the opening round of the NBA playoffs, the best option for the Lakers is to keep the ball in James’ hands and allow him to work. Even as the oldest player in the NBA at age 41, he’s still able to play at an elite level.

Coming into Sunday’s game against the Jazz, James has appeared in 59 games at a little over 33 minutes per game. He had been averaging 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals with splits of 51.7 percent shooting from the field, 32.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 73.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.