Although LeBron James wasn’t able to play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener, he’s making sure they learn from their loss to Golden State.
Coach JJ Redick said James was “really helpful” during a film session Wednesday as the Lakers’ examined their performance in the 119-109 defeat.
James won’t be ready to begin his unprecedented 23rd NBA season for at least a few weeks due to sciatica, but he is taking a strong interest in the team’s off-court work in an effort to ensure the Lakers get off to a decent start without him, Redick said.
“I told them [that] him asking questions, him giving his enter, us having a back-and-forth is so wholesome,” Redick mentioned. “I want to have dialogue and back-and-forth and questions each single time we do movie and educate. You’ve got received a query? Converse up. If you wish to make some extent, communicate up. It was good.”
James watched the sport on the Lakers’ bench in a swimsuit, sitting barely above his teammates in a excessive padded seat that Draymond Inexperienced jokingly known as “his Phil Jackson chair.” James did not specific a lot emotion whereas the Lakers fell behind by 17 factors within the third quarter and finally mounted a rally that fell brief, however he was watching.
James did not take part in coaching camp or the preseason whereas managing the nerve hassle that hit him earlier than the beginning of camp. The Lakers have not put a particular timetable on James’ absence, however he’s hoping to get again in November.
After committing 20 turnovers and giving up far too many open 3-point makes an attempt by the smallish Warriors, Los Angeles clearly has loads of work to do. Minnesota, which eradicated the Lakers from the primary spherical of the playoffs final spring, visits the Lakers’ downtown area Friday night time.
However the Lakers received a 43-point efficiency from Luka Dončić, who confirmed off his improved health and focus whereas racking up 12 rebounds and 9 assists in a standout effort.
Dončić wanted additional remedy after the sport on an obvious groin pressure, however the Lakers are optimistic that Dončić was proper when he mentioned the damage is “most likely nothing.”
“He appears to be superb,” Redick mentioned of Dončić. “I don’t assume it’s something main. He received some remedy this morning, and we didn’t observe lengthy, however he was a participant in observe.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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