Lakers forward LeBron James (left) scores a layup and Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes defends during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night. According to the Clean The Glass website and statistics database (excluding garbage time), James entered the game shooting a career-high 81 percent (58-of-72) at the rim (within four feet of the basket). (AP Photo/Mark J. Trier)
LOS ANGELES — Even though LeBron James is entering the 21st year of his NBA career, he’s showing few signs of slowing down.
And in some ways, the Lakers’ star forward has gotten even better.
James entered Wednesday’s home game against the Sacramento Kings shooting a career-high 81 percent (58-for-72) from the basket (within four feet of the basket), according to the Clean The Glass website and stats. Exclude garbage time databases.
He shot a career-high rim percentage (79 percent) over the entire season in the final of his four seasons with the Miami Heat (2013-14).
“It’s just a real tribute to the way he takes care of himself and stays healthy to take a lot of physical punishment as he drives to the basket,” Lakers coach Davin Hamm said before the game. “And us. The five-out spacing that’s being done — so there’s a lot of pitches, breaking pitches, it gives him the opportunity to play downhill.”
Ham mentioned a starting lineup of D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince and Anthony Davis that even when James has the ball, opposing players have to pay attention.
“People have to think about these guys whether they have the ball in their hands or not,” Hamm added. “It also provides space. When he’s doing his thing, you have Austin (Reeves) out on the wing and that defender is shifting and trying to guard those two guys — being able to help but also trying to Responsible for his own defender – we have the weapons to create opportunities and hesitations, which lead to opportunities. And, again, he takes great care of himself and is very efficient with his movements and the way he attacks, so that provides him with so much High hit rate, such high success rate.”
The 38-year-old James was making his second appearance on the second night of a back-to-back and his second game so far this season after missing Sunday night’s win with a left calf contusion that left him unlikely to enter the game. Very big. Over Portland.
Hamm said James’ availability for back-to-back games is an ongoing discussion given the nature of the particular back-to-back.
“We try not to look too far ahead,” Hamm added. “But I just deal with the day-to-day stuff based on our workload, how the games are grouped and how he’s feeling first and foremost.”
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Wednesday marked Reddish’s fourth straight game since taking over the starting job previously occupied by Austin Reeves, who has since assumed a sixth-man role.
Reddish’s role has been strengthened. In the previous three games, he averaged 15 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2 steals in 30.1 minutes per game.
Ham said he and the coaching staff have been having conversations with Reddish, a former lottery pick who signed with the Lakers as a free agent this offseason, to understand the process as he continues to adapt.
“The basis of those discussions is that he keeps it simple,” Hamm added. “Not thinking too much. And just going out and trying to play every possession. Again, keep it simple and have fun while you’re out there.”