JJ Redick drops huge statement on LeBron James' intention to play all 82 games: "I don't know if it's in the best interest"
LeBron James, who will turn 40 this month, played his 21st game for the LA Lakers this season. He's one of only three players who hasn't missed a game yet for the team. Gabe Vincent, over a decade younger than James, and Dalton Knecht, LA's first-round pick, are the others with 100% availability.
JJ Redick said when asked about the possibility of the four-time MVP playing the 82-game schedule:
"I don't know if it's in the best interest of him and us if he does that."
Redick might be right after seeing the 20x All-Star struggle against the Minnesota Timberwolves. On short rest, James finished with 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting, including 0-for-4 from behind the arc. LeBron James had more turnovers (6) than assists (4) in the Lakers’ 109-80 loss.
In the 105-104 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, James scattered 27 points but took 28 attempts to get his total aand missed all nine attempts from behind the arc.
On Friday against the OKC Thunder, the four-time champ labored to make 12 points, needing 13 shots to reach the total. He handed out six assists but coughed up the ball five times. LeBron James looked gassed when playing on the defensive end.
JJ Redick has had a front-row ticket to the struggles, particularly in the last three games. He might be forced to hold out the aging superstar to make him more effective in games they need him the most.
James Worthy cautions LA Lakers about running LeBron James to the ground
James Worthy, who has been analyzing LA Lakers games on SportsNet, is on board with limiting LeBron James’ workload. He said when asked to comment about the superstar playing the second night of a back-to-back set:
"As great as he is, you can't ask a 39,40-year-old guy to do this every night."
James played 36 minutes in the win against the Utah Jazz. He had a bigger workload than usual because D’Angelo Russell (illness) and Austin Reaves (pelvic contusion) were ruled out.
Russell returned, but Reaves remained out, so James shouldered another big load for the Lakers in the loss to the Timberwolves. Only when the game was out of reach did JJ Redick take out the four-time MVP.
James Worthy is concerned that the Lakers could run James to the ground.