LeBron James, at 41 years old, is a first option, and that is about to be met with a tactical defensive strategy from the Houston Rockets that is all too familiar for the Los Angeles Lakers star. Ime Udoka clued reporters in on what the gameplan for guarding James and the Lakers will be.
"We want to give really good players different looks and try to keep them off balance some and encourage others to try to beat you. So, it'll be more of the same," Udoka said at Rockets practice.
In all fairness, the Rockets head coach did mention that even if Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were available, the mindset would still be a similar one for Houston. However, it is because both stars are absent that it matters all the more here for the looming first-round matchup.
With everyone moving up in the Lakers' pecking order due to the injuries of Doncic and Reaves, suddenly James is the sole star at the forefront of the Rockets' strategy. That will mean a dangerous future ahead for the Lakers and their aging centerpiece for this series.
Rockets will invite everyone but LeBron James to beat them
The short sample of having James be the guy again has reminded everyone just how special LeBron is.
The future Hall of Famer may not be at the peak of his powers anymore, but there is still plenty left in the tank. Having some added rest in this series thanks to the schedule should open the door for an old LeBron to showcase that.
James will need to combat an approach that he's seen before in the matchup with the Rockets. The Dallas Mavericks dared anyone but LeBron to beat them in the 2011 NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs have invited that strategy during multiple clashes on the biggest stage as well.
That is where things are headed again. This time, it just looks different.
James should have never been in these shoes. LeBron should have been the beneficiary of Doncic receiving this kind of coverage. The Lakers forward was slated to be one of the others that Udoka was talking about in relation to Luka being the guy.
Instead, Los Angeles will need players like Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard, and company to fill up their fair share of the scoring load to survive this series. That should not eliminate all hope of the Lakers advancing, but it is an obviously more difficult path to walk for a series win.
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