The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a 7-4 start under first-time head coach JJ Redick. This record might surprise some considering the Lakers’ lack of quality depth on their roster.
While Redick looks like a significant improvement over last year’s head coach Darvin Ham, there’s another reason for the Lakers getting off to a quick start. That reason is called LeBron James.
The soon-to-be 40-year-old is playing at a level few saw coming. Most people his age are nursing back aches and tendonitis. He’s dominating guys half his age for fun. During the Lakers’ current three-game win streak, James has registered three straight triple-doubles. Here are those stat lines to be specific:
- 21 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists, 3 blocks, 9-of-14 from the field (win over PHI)
- 19 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists, 6-of-14 from the field (win over TOR)
- 35 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists, 13-of-22 from the field (win over MEM)
On the year, he’s shooting a crisp 52.4 percent from the field and what would be a career-high 45.9 percent from three-point range. With averages of 24.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 9.4 APG, it’s utterly astounding that James is playing at this level.
Now, can he keep up this pace for a full 82-game season? That might be a bit ambitious. At the same time, with two unprotected first-round picks in the team’s war chest, the Lakers might be rethinking the plan to keep those picks for when James retires. With him playing at this level, moves can be made to further augment the roster in a positive way.
Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves are also playing at high levels currently. Rookie Dalton Knecht has flashed some real ability as a potential stater/Sixth Man type. With the draft picks and the contracts of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and others, there’s a pathway for the Lakers to become a more serious contender with the addition of another big-time player.
Who that player is…remains to be seen. Trae Young and Zach LaVine have recently been floated as two of the larger names associated with the Lakers. Isaiah Stewart, Nic Claxton, Brook Lopez, Dennis Schroder, and Jonas Valanciunas have also been mentioned as possibilities.
Either way, when it comes to James, it’s astounding watching him play at this level given his age and the wear and tear he’s put on his body over the last two decades playing in the NBA.
