Lakers prepare for the season without LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers team is preparing to face the start of the season without their star, LeBron James, who is recovering from a sciatic injury on the right side of his body. Despite this absence, Luka Doncic, another key player on the team, has expressed that he does not feel the need to take on a more leading role in the absence of James.The Lakers, without James and Doncic, have yet to achieve victories in the preseason, with losses against the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors. The team will face the Warriors again in a preseason game on Sunday. Lakers coach JJ Redick has not yet confirmed whether Doncic will play in the next game. In addition, the team has a series of preseason games ahead in the coming days, including a game against the Phoenix Suns and another against the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic has been actively participating in training, although his workload has been modified to take care of him, as he participated with Slovenia in the EuroBasket this summer. Redick will have the challenge of covering for James’ absence, who is expected to be out of the courts for the next three or four weeks. The coach has mentioned that it is still unclear what the starting lineup will be until James returns. Doncic, along with Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, will occupy three of the five positions in the starting lineup. Redick will evaluate the options for the other two positions, considering players like Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart, who offer different offensive and defensive options. Smart, who has also been out due to Achilles tendinopathy, will play against the Warriors. Redick has considered having different lineups and rotations, depending on whether James is on the team or not. Doncic and James have had conversations during training, which has helped strengthen the team’s chemistry. For now, James will be supporting the team from the bench with his voice.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 get a win.
Luka Doncic
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 man up’. We have a group of guys who have been practicing and we hope LeBron can join us as soon as possible. Obviously, we’ll need him. But our mentality has to be ‘next man up’. That’s all.
Luka Doncic
