Lakers coach JJ Redick defines LeBron James’ role heading into 6-game trip LeBron James posted on social media with an eye-squinting emoji, captioning, “Might be it for diving for the year,” after a painful collision during Saturday night’s overtime win against the Denver Nuggets. Despite appearing to be in discomfort, James made a dramatic dive to recover a loose ball, a play Redick praised as a testament to his leadership. The move helped secure the Lakers’ fifth consecutive victory, marking a key moment in James’ return to the court after a three-game absence. Redick emphasized that James’ role has evolved since the return of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who have bolstered the team’s offensive firepower. While Doncic and Reaves have taken on more scoring responsibilities, James remains a critical playmaker, averaging 18.7 points in 10 games since the All-Star break. Redick noted that James’ high-usage role is still vital, even as the team adjusts to having three elite scorers in its rotation. “The best thing for our team is being the third-highest-used player,” Redick said, highlighting the challenge of finding balance among the trio. Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer, echoed Redick’s sentiment, calling James’ willingness to take on physical challenges “unbelievable.” The Serbian star praised James’ commitment to the team’s success, particularly after the Lakers’ buzzer-beater against the Nuggets. “It’s amazing to see,” Doncic said, reflecting on James’ impact as a leader who consistently prioritizes the team over individual accolades. Looking ahead to the final 15 games of the regular season, Redick stressed the importance of maintaining harmony between James, Doncic, and Reaves. In the 13 games since the All-Star break, Doncic has averaged 32.7 points, Reaves 21.1, and James 18.#lebron_james #luka_doncic #jj_redick #austin_reaves #maxi_kleber
