Will there be a rift between the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff and LeBron James?
The Los Angeles Lakers opened the season with a loss to the Denver Nuggets. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, but there are a few talking points that could be very telling for the Lakers as they try to take another step toward a championship this season.
The Lakers’ first internal storyline revolves around LeBron James playing just 29 minutes against the Nuggets.After the game, Lakers head coach Davin Ham said LeBron’s minutes may remain To get to that level, or even improve, but it depends on how his body feels. From the outside, Hamm does want to limit LeBron’s playing time to a certain extent.
LeBron’s reaction to playing just 29 minutes in his first game of the season was less than reassuring:
“Look, I mean, I always want to be out there. Especially when you have a chance to win a game or you feel like you can make an impact. But I guess that’s the system that’s in place and I have to follow it. “
But that wasn’t the only concerning part of the Lakers’ first-game loss.
There is still one Video clip circulates LeBron told Ham he could also play point guard on the court, essentially reminding the coaching staff that the lineups he plays in don’t have to be limited by traditional positional synergies.
In the video, LeBron is visibly frustrated, saying he’s basically just “floating” on the floor. Of course, the loss highlighted those little issues that are probably going to happen to every team in the league.
Especially for LeBron and the Lakers, this naturally becomes a bigger story.
Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff may have a smart plan for LeBron James
It’s easy to see why the Lakers and coaching staff might try to limit LeBron, especially early in the season. LeBron will be 39 years old this season, and if the Lakers have any chance of winning another championship, a lot will depend on whether LeBron is close to 100 percent physically by the time the playoffs roll around.
At the same time, you don’t want to let LeBron lose steam early in the season.
Time will tell if A) Ham and the Lakers coaching staff stick to this original plan, and B) if it ultimately works out in the Lakers’ favor. If the Lakers win, LeBron probably won’t have any problems. However, if losses start to accumulate, the situation becomes more serious.
So far, so good. LeBron is smart. He’ll see things through a little bit. However, things could change quickly in the NBA.