As Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James recovers from his ankle injury, NBA analysts such as Bill Simmons have weighed in on the severity of his injury. Luka Doncic has stepped up tremendously in James’ absence, scoring 45 points in a losing effort (126-106) against the Milwaukee Bucks before leading the Lakers to a 107-96 win against the Phoenix Suns. However, LeBron resting this late in the regular season could be best.
Simmons points out that this is James’ last opportunity for time off, even if it affects the Lakers’ playoff positioning. Perhaps he could return, but the Lakers prefer him to sit out, as Simmons said, per The Bill Simmons Podcast.
“The time the injury happened [at] the end of the Celtics game, they’ve already lost. The stuff from the state championship game, like him jumping around on the sidelines,” Simmons said. “By the way, smart for him to rest up and get his s*** together for the playoff run, but you know we were talking about this, or at least the media was, in these grave terms. LeBron, this might be the rest of the year. I think he’s fine, and I think the Lakers have to be taken seriously, and I’m not going to waver from that point.”
The Lakers have slipped from second to fifth in the Western Conference standings since James’ injury. He’s missed four games since he was ruled out of the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics.
JJ Redick’s advice to Luka Doncic in LeBron James’ absence
Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed his marching orders to Luka Doncic in All-Star LeBron James’ absence. It was pretty simple: Don’t change.
Redick spoke to the media before the Lakers’ game against the Suns.
“The marching orders for him don’t change if LeBron is out of the lineup. I think the way basketball works, at least in my mind, is that people, players, and skill sets all have to complement each other and work together,” Redick said. “Everybody has a role, and everybody is valued. And if you do that role well, we have a chance to win.”
“Luka has to be Luka … same thing with our guys that are defensive-minded, or shooters, you just got to be you, and you hope that there’s enough to fill in the gap when guys are out,” Redick concluded.
The Lakers will host the Spurs on Monday.
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