The Los Angeles Lakers are resting LeBron James in the middle of each quarter, and five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher is loving the adjustment. James missed the first 14 games with an injury and did not look like a superstar in his first six contests back. It had fans wondering if the end was near for the 41-year-old, but he is playing better after a subtle change.
JJ Redick altered the rotation of his stars with Austin Reaves out. He has Luka Doncic playing shorter stints, and LeBron getting longer ones. King James comes out midway through every quarter, which allows him to stay fresh and still play massive minutes.
Fisher noted this was a change the Mavericks made with an aging Dirk Nowitzki, and it allowed the legend to dominate second units. King James is responding. He just keyed two straight wins over the Grizzlies, including having a 26-point double-double in Sunday’s comeback.
Derek Fisher credits JJ Redick for masterful LeBron James adjustment
Here is what Fisher had to say after the Lakers' home win on Dec. 4.
“A subtle thing that the Dallas Mavericks did with Dirk Nowitzki in 2010-11, when they went on their run, he would take his rest in the middle of the quarter. You are seeing the Lakers do that with LeBron. Right around the five-and-a-half-minute mark, he takes maybe 90 seconds or two minutes and then finishes the quarter. In a lot of those situations, he is playing against second-lineup guys and the Lakers are in the bonus.”
Fisher noted that it is allowing King James to have fresh legs and attack in advantageous positions. The 41-year-old was second-team All-NBA last season. He still has plenty left in the tank and is finding his stride. James is playing off Luka Doncic and finding his spots. It is new to LeBron not being the team’s alpha, but the all-time scoring leader is adjusting well.
LeBron has scored 23 or more in eight of the last 11 games, and his playmaking has been fantastic. The Lakers have been down multiple rotations throughout that stretch. They have needed more from James, and the veteran is delivering.
There are still questions about the Lakers’ defense. They don’t have the personnel to be elite on that end of the floor, so LA must outscore the opposition. It starts with Luka and LeBron. They are two of the best to ever do it, and the best is still yet to come from the Lakers’ star duo.
Head coach JJ Redick deserves credit for figuring out what is best for LeBron James and getting him to buy in. The Lakers must keep King James fresh and continue to put him in advantageous positions.
The Los Angeles Lakers need LeBron James to play like a superstar to have any shot at making a deep playoff run. Fans know the Western Conference is loaded, and the pressure is on. This is King James' best chance to get a fifth ring and second with the Lakers. This change is already paying off, and things should continue to improve, especially if upgrades are made before the trade deadline. Expect LA to keep building, and fans won’t want to miss a moment.