:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72791027/Screen_Shot_2023_10_24_at_11.24.30_PM.0.png "LeBron James offers advice to D’Angelo Russell after bricking 3-pointer")
LeBron is always here to help.
LeBron James has one of the greatest basketball minds of all time. James is approaching his 39th birthday and is now the oldest player in the NBA and one of the best. LeBron may no longer be able to perform at his absolute best physically every night, but he’s still always thinking about the game at a high level.
When James offers advice on the court, you should listen. James gave D’Angelo Russell a pep talk after a few poor shots early in the Lakers’ season opener against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.
James wore a microphone on opening night on TNT, and cameras caught him sharing gems of basketball wisdom multiple times. At one point, James pulled Russell aside and told him to open the pick-and-roll at the elbow. LeBron explained to Russell how he sees the entire court as a passer and finds open Lakers teammates for shots.
When this situation played out early in the fourth quarter, Russell elected to shoot instead of passing to LeBron at the elbow. After the game, James talked to Russell.
That night, the Nuggets defeated the Lakers 119-107 and won the 2023 NBA championship ring. The Nuggets swept the Lakers in last year’s Western Conference finals, and as long as Nikola Jokic is on the court, the gap between the two teams still feels wide.
It originally looked like Russell ignored James’ advice, but now it looks like Pep talk in response to shooting, not before it happens.
The Lakers need more backcourt players. First off, Russell had a better night than he did in Game 1.
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