Although LeBron James wasn’t able to play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener, he’s making sure they learn from their loss to Golden State.
Coach JJ Redick said James was “really helpful” during a film session Wednesday as the Lakers’ examined their performance in the 119-109 defeat.
James won’t be ready to begin his unprecedented 23rd NBA season for at least a few weeks due to sciatica, but he is taking a strong interest in the team’s off-court work in an effort to ensure the Lakers get off to a decent start without him, Redick said.
“I told them [that] him asking questions, him giving his input, us having a back-and-forth is so healthy,” Redick said. “I would like to have dialogue and back-and-forth and questions every single time we do film and teach. You’ve got a question? Speak up. If you want to make a point, speak up. It was good.”
James watched the game on the Lakers’ bench in a suit, sitting slightly above his teammates in a high padded seat that Draymond Green jokingly called “his Phil Jackson chair.” James didn’t express much emotion while the Lakers fell behind by 17 points in the third quarter and eventually mounted a rally that fell short, but he was watching.
James didn’t participate in training camp or the preseason while managing the nerve trouble that hit him before the start of camp. The Lakers haven’t put a definite timetable on James’ absence, but he is hoping to get back in November.
After committing 20 turnovers and giving up far too many open 3-point attempts by the smallish Warriors, Los Angeles clearly has plenty of work to do. Minnesota, which eliminated the Lakers from the first round of the playoffs last spring, visits the Lakers’ downtown arena Friday night.
But the Lakers got a 43-point performance from Luka Dončić, who showed off his improved fitness and focus while racking up 12 rebounds and nine assists in a standout effort.
Dončić needed extra treatment after the game on an apparent groin strain, but the Lakers are optimistic that Dončić was right when he said the injury is “probably nothing.”
“He seems to be fine,” Redick said of Dončić. “I don’t think it’s anything major. He got some treatment this morning, and we didn’t practice long, but he was a participant in practice.”
Reporting by The Associated Press.
