Lakers Prepare Without LeBron James: Doncic Takes the Lead
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – While LeBron James recovers from sciatica in the right side of his body, the other star of the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic, has made it clear that he does not feel the need to take on more responsibility in the absence of James.I don’t see it that way. I just want to play basketball. If I do less, if I do more, whatever it takes to win.
Luka Doncic
So far, without James and Doncic, the Lakers have not achieved victories in the preseason, with a record of 0-2 against the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors.
The Los Angeles team will face Golden State again in a preseason game on Sunday, and Lakers coach JJ Redick is still deciding whether Doncic will play. Sunday marks the start of a series of three preseason games in four days for the Lakers, which will continue with a road game against Phoenix on Tuesday and the second night of a back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Redick indicated that Doncic would participate in two of the remaining four preseason games for Los Angeles. Doncic was a full participant on Saturday, after his workload was modified throughout the week to preserve the 26-year-old guard, following his participation with Slovenia in the EuroBasket this summer. “I had the national team,” Doncic explained. “I played a month or so of basketball [for Slovenia]. Obviously, there’s a long season ahead, so that’s why.” Now, Redick has the task of covering for James’ absence, who will be out for the next three to four weeks before his sciatica is reevaluated.Doncic, shooting guard Austin Reaves and center Deandre Ayton will occupy three of the five positions. Redick will examine the other two starting positions, with Rui Hachimura, who started 57 of the 59 games he played for Los Angeles last season, under consideration. Jarred Vanderbilt, who has started in both preseason games so far, and new signings Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart provide the team with different offensive and defensive options. Smart, who has also been out at the start of the preseason due to Achilles tendinopathy, will play against the Warriors, according to Redick. Redick mentioned that he has considered having a lineup and rotation that fit better when James plays, and another separate one for when he doesn’t. Doncic mentioned that he and James have “talked a lot” while observing the Lakers’ practices from the bench during training camp, which has helped with the chemistry. For now, all Doncic and the Lakers will get from James during games is what the 40-year-old player can contribute with his voice from the bench.We hope he returns soon. Those things can be complicated. It’s not clear what the initial alignment will be, that’s the reality, until he returns. We’ll have to figure it out.
JJ Redick
It’s a big change. He’s a great player. He can help us a lot. But at the end of the day, our mentality has to be ‘next’. We have a group of players who have been practicing and we hope LeBron can join us as soon as possible. Obviously, we’re going to need him. But our mentality has to be ‘next’. That’s all.
Luka Doncic
