Typically, a head coach has two key responsibilities with his players. The first is to find a way to maximize their talent. The other is to do so while still making the team as good as they can.
But LeBron James presents Lakers head coach JJ Redick with a unique scenario. LeBron has seen it all and done it all in his 23 years in the NBA. So, what’s left to work with him on?
If James were a typical vet 20 years into his career, then you would let him be a vocal leader and he’d be an end-of-the-bench
guy. However, that’s not LeBron. He’s still a starter, and you need him to maximize a team’s potential.
Redick talked about this before LeBron made his season debut against the Jazz about finding ways to challenge LeBron.
“Our conversations this summer were really healthy and positive and I learned a lot about what he wants out of his 23rd season in the NBA,” Redick said. “I think that one of the big takeaways from our conversations was just continuing to find ways to challenge him. I think that’s part of the reason that he’s still doing it, beyond just the love of the game, is his brain needs a new challenge.
“That’s how he functions at a high level. So, just finding new ways to challenge him, whether that’s as a screener, as an off-ball player like we did last year…could be something defensively. I think finding ways to challenge him is going to be the biggest thing. He’s smart enough, he’s skilled enough. he’s got the size, athleticism, he can integrate himself. It’s finding ways to challenge him.”
Even for a player in the greatest of all time debate, there are always things to work on.
In Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the Lakers already have two very good ballhandlers. This gives LeBron the opportunity to be more off-ball than ever in his career if he wants to be. How can he still be dominant without the ball?
That’s a challenge he can work on. LeBron even mentioned being more off-ball and working on his catch-and-shoot threes before the season began. While Redick is focused on finding new challenges for a player who has played in more seasons than anyone, LeBron just wants to be present.
“My biggest challenge this season? Just stay in the moment,” LeBron said after a win over the Jazz. “Obviously, where I’m at in my career and where I’m at in year 23 and understanding that there’s not many more games for me, – don’t know when that is – but just staying in the moment, just appreciating the opportunity to go out and play the game.”
In his first game back, LeBron was more passive offensively, taking just seven shots. However, he was an elite passer with 12 assists and helped the Lakers dominate in the second half.
With LeBron, there’s not much to be concerned about. He’s great and his decline has been so historically gradual that the Lakers can still depend on him as much as anyone.
With Redick finding new challenges and ways to motivate LeBron and James staying in the moment, they can work together to not only get the best from Year 23 Bron, but also use that to raise LA’s ceiling.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
