Even at 39 years of age, LeBron James has the uncanny ability to bend a game to his will. When he wants to impose himself on the outcome, there are few more dominant figures than the four-time MVP who seems capable of turning back the clocks in a way that no player approaching 40 has ever been able to.
As the Los Angeles Lakers evaluate their first four games, however, there's one harsh reality they must face: James is having trouble adjusting to JJ Redick's motion offense.
James remains as effective an isolation playmaker and scorer as anyone in the NBA. There haven't been many systems that aspire to take the ball out of his hands, however, and Redick is now implementing an offense that does exactly that—to a reasonable degree, of course.
It's far too soon to hit the panic button considering it's only been four games and the Lakers are 3-1, but James and Redick will need to get on the same page sooner than later.
This may seem like a reaction to James' 3-of-14 shooting performance against the Phoenix Suns, but the evidence of his early woes could be found as early as the season opener. He'd simply played effectively enough to mask the flaws, and the Lakers' team success inevitably dampened the sound of concern.
When James went off for a first triple-double against the Sacramento Kings, the conversation became even more positive—despite the fact that the cracks in the armor became unavoidable.
Lakers need to help LeBron find his place in the motion offense
James reminded fans of how dominant he can still be by putting up 32 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, and a block in a 131-127 win over the Kings. He was nothing short of magnificent during the fourth quarter, putting the team on his back as he all but singlehandedly led the initial comeback.
The Kings game saw the Lakers experience a significant shift in energy and offensive philosophy, however, as the off-ball motion that was becoming Redick's signature touch suddenly vanished.
The end justified the means, but one game later, the red flags were raised once more. James had played relatively well during the first two games of the season, but he'd also attempted an uncharacteristically low 29 field goals between those outings.
Going 3-of-14 against the Suns may be an extreme example of the Lakers' current predicament, but it accurately depicts the struggle that James has faced as he adapts to playing in a less ball-dominant role.
James has done well with what he's been given, drawing attention from opposing defenses and enabling Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves to lead the offense. When the team is in a rut, the four-time NBA champion is there to lead a key possession to get the Lakers back on track.
It's a perfectly sound approach to the regular season that should help James avoid injuries and be as close to 100 percent as possible come the playoffs.
James has often looked hesitant when the ball has come his way, however, as though he's been fighting his own instincts to exploit his matchup. He deserves immense praise for accepting this new challenge, but the growing pains are evident.
Patience will be essential from the fans, the coaching staff, and James himself. If the team stays the course and learns from its mistakes along the way, contending will be a legitimate possibility.
If James and the Lakers abandon an otherwise fruitful system, however, there's no telling what the future will hold.