On the third day of training camp, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel decided to give some vets a day off.
The Los Angeles Lakers have started up training camp and we are getting a chance to see the promising team in action.
Coming into the season, the Lakers have a good veteran squad this season. Compared to last season with a lot of young faces, the Lakers are more built to win-now. With Monday being the third straight day of practice, Frank Vogel decided to give veterans LeBron James and Jared Dudley a day off.
Vogel talked about resting two of his veterans this early in camp. Here’s what he said via Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen and Roll.
"“Just common sense,” Vogel said when asked for his reasoning on holding his two 34-year-old veterans out of the morning’s practice. “I meet with the medical team every day, and we’ve got some experienced vets on the team and we’re not gonna overdo it with those guys in September.”"
Vogel resting two of his veterans is certainly a good move at this early stage of training camp. More importantly with LeBron, the Lakers need him to be fresh and healthy for the entire season. Since James missed a lot of time last season with a groin injury, there has to be some concern in Los Angeles about him getting older.
While James did have his longest offseason in awhile, multiple straight days of training camp can be a bit much for a proven veteran. With other veterans besides James and Dudley, expect to Vogel resting other veterans throughout camp.
As we saw last season with stars like Kawhi Leonard, resting players is becoming more of the norm. Leonard was able to have a great individual season and he was fresh to lead the Raptors to an NBA Title.
Since James has played a lot more games than Leonard has in his career, getting some rest here and there would be beneficial. Luckily, the Lakers can likely afford to rest LeBron a bit more with a superstar on the team.
As we head toward the regular season, it will be interesting to monitor how Vogel handles his veterans. With a good amount of them on the team, rest here and there will be important.