UPDATE: LeBron James stepped up as a key mentor for the Los Angeles Lakers following their 119-109 opening-night loss to the Golden State Warriors on October 24, 2023. With James sidelined due to sciatica, his influence was still felt as the team reviewed critical game footage.
Coach JJ Redick highlighted James’s contributions during a practice session on Wednesday, stating, “LeBron was really helpful.” Despite missing his first regular-season opener in 23 years, James remained engaged, analyzing how the Lakers allowed open three-point shots to key players like Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield.
James will not be re-evaluated for one to two weeks, with reports indicating he could debut around mid-November. Meanwhile, the Lakers must address their issues fast, especially with their next game against the Minnesota Timberwolves coming up on October 27.
The Lakers’ defensive lapses were evident, with Curry and Hield combining to shoot 8-for-19 from three-point range. In contrast, the Lakers struggled, shooting just 8-for-32 from beyond the arc. Redick pointed out that the team failed to locate these “lasers” in transition, a crucial part of their defensive strategy.
“We did a poor job of locating the lasers in transition,” Redick said.
Redick emphasized the importance of open communication during film sessions, praising James’s ability to foster a healthy dialogue among players. “It’s good to have back-and-forth discussions,” he noted, highlighting the value of teamwork as the Lakers strive for improvement.
In addition to their shooting woes, the Lakers faced challenges with bench scoring, getting outscored 33-18, and committing 20 turnovers, which gifted the Warriors 22 points. Despite these setbacks, players like Gabe Vincent expressed optimism, pointing to identifiable areas for improvement. “We can clean that up, and it’s a different conversation,” he said.
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt echoed similar sentiments, stating, “It wasn’t as bad as we thought it was. It’s controllable things we can clean up.”
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, who scored 43 points in a recent game, raised concerns about a groin injury. Redick, however, reassured fans, saying, “He seems to be fine,” after Doncic participated in practice following treatment.
As the Lakers push for continuity and cohesion, Redick stressed the need to develop a “connective brain tissue” within the team, something crucial for success going forward. “We’re going to get there. I’m very confident,” he stated.
With the season just beginning, all eyes will be on the Lakers as they aim to rebound from their opening setback. Fans are eager to see how the team adapts and evolves, especially with the highly anticipated return of LeBron James looming on the horizon.