Superstar guard Luka Doncic was smiling from ear to ear after the Los Angeles Lakers improved to 8-3 on Monday night with a 121-110 win over the Charlotte Hornets. He was equally thrilled when asked about the impending return of LeBron James, who is expected to make his season debut within the next week.
“We can’t wait,” Doncic said in a powerful three-word reaction.
“All of us can’t wait. It’s Bron, so it’s always good to have him back. Hopefully soon,” Doncic said of James’ return to the court, via LakersNation.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James is expected to join his Lakers teammates during the three-game stretch between Nov. 18 and Nov. 23, when JJ Redick’s team will face the Utah Jazz twice (home and away) and the Los Angeles Clippers at home. The earliest possible game would be the Nov. 18 home clash against the Jazz.
Lakers’ Plan for LeBron James
James, who did not participate in training camp or preseason, is slowly working himself back into game shape. According to JJ Redick, James has been assigned to practice with the South Bay Lakers of the G League, with his return around the corner.
“LeBron James is on track to practice with the Los Angeles Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, later this week as he ramps up for a return from sciatica on his right side, sources told ESPN,” read a report from ESPN.
James, who was diagnosed with sciatica at the start of the season, has missed his team’s first 11 games of a season for the first time in his illustrious 23-year career. In fact, James never missed a season-opener until this year, when he sat out the Lakers’ opening-night contest against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 22.
Should LeBron Come off the Bench?
Some analysts have expressed concern that James, who thrives with the ball in his hands, could hamper the Lakers’ chemistry when he returns, especially considering the ongoing exploits of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce has advised JJ Redick to bring James off the bench.
“When LeBron comes back, LeBron got to come off the bench,” he said on the “KG Certified” podcast. “The way you wanted to work, he got to come off the bench.”
“Instead of you being out there with Luka, you take Luka out of the game, and now you run what Luca was doing,” added the 2008 NBA Finals MVP.
Others, such as Jeff Teague, have warned that James’ return could “ruin” the Lakers’ chemistry.
“Right now, they’ve got these young dudes playing defense and Bron be like, where he had these moments, ‘I ain’t playing no defense.’ If he ain’t getting rock or something, Bron will give you attitude or something,” Teague said of James’ return.
“Going forward, I’m seeing that AR [Austin Reaves] and Luka [Doncic] is the dynamic duo, so it’s time like not force Bron out, but brother do something good for the franchise.”
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