Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Ways LeBron James can be more efficient in 2020

Put lesser teams away early

While the Lakers have been winning games, one fair criticism regarding this Lakers squad is that they have been pushed to the brink more than once by teams they should be easily beating.

Whether this is simply down to the Lakers knowing that they can turn it on at any time and get the win or they are simply falling asleep and are having to pull the win out late. Regardless of the answer, it is problematic for the purple and gold.

With every late-game going down to the wire, LeBron  James and Anthony Davis are being forced to dig deep and get the win. While they have done the job admirably, the game should be well out of reach for the Lakers in most of these contests.

Adjustments can be made to alleviate this. A concerted effort by the coaching staff to push for the Lakers to blow teams out when they have sizable leads and a call for focus at these times could lead to the Lakers having a comfortable lead in the 3rd quarter going into the 4th.

If this happens you have the opportunity to sit LeBron for extended stretches allowing him to rest up and be fresh for the next game.

While the Lakers have yet to follow the Kawhi Leonard model of load management, it doesn’t seem to be LeBron James’ style to sit out games when he knows he can play.

If the Lakers do adopt this mentality then maybe LeBron can be even more rested. However, don’t hold your breath. LeBron is on a mission this season.

If the Lakers can blow teams out, rest LeBron in the 4th while still allowing LeBron to get his numbers, then it is a win-win situation for all fans of the purple and gold.