The Los Angeles Lakers have managed to stay afloat without LeBron James, playing 7-3 basketball through the first ten games.
James is yet to make his season debut as he deals with sciatica. In his absence, Luka Doncic has played MVP-level basketball, and Austin Reaves seems destined to make an All-NBA team. The Lakers are expected only to get better once James returns.
Despite optimism surrounding their season so far, the Lakers have some questions to answer. How will James handle not being the first option? As long as the Lakers keep winning, that concern seems minor.
In an effort to keep the good times rolling, one Hall of Fame player gave JJ Redick some odd advice.
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 09: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives LeBron James #23 during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on April 09, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers Urged to Bench LeBron James
James is one of the best two players to ever suit up in the NBA. At this point, it’s only between him and Michael Jordan. Imagine asking either of them to play with the second unit.
That’s exactly what Paul Pierce did.
“When LeBron comes back, LeBron got to come off the bench,” he said on the most recent episode of the KG Certified podcast. “The way you wanted to work, he got to come off the bench.”
Pierce argued that James and Doncic can’t share the floor and find success. When looking at last season’s first-round exit, there’s a case to be made. However, their 15-8 record together suggests otherwise.
“Instead of you being out there with Luka, you take Luka out of the game, and now you run what Luca was doing,” Pierce added.
The Lakers have been encouraged to stagger James, Reaves, and Doncic once the trio is all healthy, although it stands to reason that all three of them would start the game together, setting the tone and allowing JJ Redick to plan around day-to-day weaknesses.
Paul Pierce and LeBron James Have a Feud
Pierce, clearly, is pushing an agenda. For whatever reason, he sees himself as a peer to James. Pierce was a great player, evidenced by his ten All-Star appearances and his Finals MVP, but he is not on the same level as James.
Only Jordan is.
Pierce and James have a well-documented rivalry, and since his retirement in 2017, Pierce has taken to the media and podcast appearances to raise his reputation and tear down James.
While Redick is unlikely to have James lead the second unit, minutes where all three of the Lakers’ stars share the floor could be few and far between. It just won’t be the way Pierce may have envisioned it, with James suddenly in the running for Sixth Man of the Year.
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