The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a 7-2 start despite dealing with a barrage of injuries. With LeBron James (sciatica) nearing a return from injury, former All-Star John Wall believes the league may not have any answers for the Lakers.
“Good luck [trying to stop them],” Wall told NBA TV’s “The Association” on Thursday night, reacting to news of James being cleared for basketball activities.
“They are 7-2 and he’s sitting back and watching, ‘OK, I don’t have to be the main guy no more.’ I think he didn’t want to be the main guy the last few years, but he still had to do it. He’s been like, ‘Yo, please let me take the backseat.’ And now he gets to do it.”
LeBron James, ‘A Willing Screener’
Wall added that Luka Doncic’s red-hot form and Austin Reaves‘ ascension as a star will give James added motivation to thrive in an ancillary role — from setting screens as a short roller, rebounding, playing defense and initiating fast-break opportunities.
Former New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale echoed a lot of those sentiments, explaining why James will thrive in his role as a screener for Reaves and Doncic.
“What you’re gonna see is a high number of screens from him,” Fizdale said of James’ new role. “And he’s a willing screener, especially when he knows he’s getting the ball from those guys in actions. And here’s the killer — if you switch on him, he’ll punish your point guard by taking him to the nail or the elbow.
“He adds a great element to their game,” Fizdale added.
Lakers New Big 3
Last season, there were initially some concerns about three ball-handlers, Doncic, Reaves and James, thriving together when the Lakers traded for the Slovenian star. However, those concerns quickly dissipated as the Lakers went on a triumphant run after the All-Star break, with Reaves actually seeing his production increase.
Wall feels that James’ ability to spot-up for threes — a task he rarely performed in the early part of his career — has also helped him play next to other ball-handlers.
“People forget that ‘Bron is a knockdown shooter now,” Wall said of James, who averaged 2.1 made threes at 38% shooting last year, and 41% the year before.
“Earlier in his career, he couldn’t shoot. Now, he can spot up. They [Lakers] have the right pieces for him [to thrive],” added the former No. 1 overall pick.
The Lakers begin a five-game road trip this week with stops in Atlanta, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Milwaukee. The Lakers are reportedly hoping to get LeBron James back when they return home to play the Utah Jazz on Nov. 18.
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