LeBron James gets honest about big adjustment under new Lakers coach JJ Redick
LeBron James and the LA Lakers escaped Salt Lake City with a 105-104 win over the Utah Jazz following a costly timeout decision by Jazz coach Will Hardy. Following the game, James discussed the biggest adjustment for him under coach JJ Redick.
Speaking to reporters after the game, James was asked about the adjustments he had to make with Redick at the helm. He explained that he's having the lowest usage of his career although the game in Utah was different because several players in the rotation were out.
"This is the lowest usage rate of my career, so it's definitely been an adjustment," James said. "Tonight felt a little bit more (normal), obviously, with AR (Austin Reaves) and D'Lo (Russell) out. The ball handling and responsibilities heightens more, and I had to do that today. It felt like normal for myself, but the way we want to play this year is a little bit different, and I'm adjusting to it as well." [14:12 - 14:40]
LeBron James was tasked to do more on Sunday night, with D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves out due to minor injuries. James finished the game with 27 points, five rebounds and 14 assists, while Anthony Davis had a game high 33 points plus 11 rebounds.
The LA Lakers are seemingly still adjusting to JJ Redick's analytics-based approach to coaching. It has worked at times although there were games wherein they were unimpressive and overwhelmed. They improved to 12-8 for the season, which is good for sixth place in the Western Conference standings.
However, things are a little bit harder for December since they play seven of their 11 games on the road. They fly to Minnesota next before going to South Beach to face the Miami Heat. They then go to Atlanta for a clash against the Hawks.
After returning home to welcome the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 8, LeBron James and the Lakers are back on the road for back-to-back games at the Golden 1 Center against the Sacramento Kings from Dec. 19 to 21.
They are at Crypto.com Arena on Dec. 23 versus the Detroit Pistons before a Christmas Day matchup in Golden State.
LeBron James' message to his teammates before the start of the road trip
As mentioned above, the LA Lakers will play seven of their 11 games on the road in December, including the first four. It started on Sunday against the Utah Jazz, and the team barely escaped the win.
LeBron James correctly predicted that it would be a tough game in a message to the Lakers before the start of the road trip.
"You got to figure it out," James said, according to Lakers News. "Lean on each other. If you don't have it, you don't have the energy, lean on the guy next to you. So it's gonna be a tough road trip first starting Utah, back-to-back Minnesota, Miami and then Atlanta, last game of the trip. So we gotta be ready to go."
The Lakers are back in action on Monday when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves.