Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra regrets not playing LeBron James in every position
Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra reserved high praise for former superstar LeBron James' versatility. Spoelstra admitted that he regrets not playing James in all five positions during the latter's tenure with the Heat. The two-time championship-winning coach believes the LA Lakers star would've been the best at playing one through five.
Here's what Spoelstra said (via Legion Hoops):
"If we played LeBron in any of the five positions, he would be the best in the league in that position. I always regret and it bothers me to this day that I didn’t have the guts to play him in all five positions.”
Erik Spoelstra:
"If we played LeBron in any of the 5 positions, he would be the best in the league in that position. I always regret and it bothers me to this day that I didn’t have the guts to play him in all 5 positions.” https://t.co/mn9AVA7KPm
LeBron James primarily played as a small forward or power forward during his tenure with the Miami Heat. James was the team's floor general, but not while playing the point guard position. The Heat went with the backcourt combo of Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers.
Meanwhile, James playing at the center position wasn't explored as much before as it is now. The league was yet to experience the 3-ball explosion at the time, and the big lineups were deployed more consistently.
It would've been highly experimental to ask the four-time MVP to play in all five positions. Considering the Heat's depth at the time, Eric Spoelstra may not have felt the need to use that tactic. However, it would've helped the team's offense pick up some more pace if James had played the five.
LeBron James' versatilty to play all five positions has been on display with LA Lakers
It would be fair to say that every team LeBron James has been on has had a better roster around him. They have been well-balanced in terms of their on-court fit and depth. That prevailed him from having to play all five positions. However, that hasn't been the case during his time with the LA Lakers.
LeBron James started his second year with the Purple and Gold as their starting point guard, with Anthony Davis joining the team. James led the league in assists that year, and the Lakers also won the championship. The following year, he returned as a small forward after the Lakers acquired Dennis Schroder to reduce James' ball-handling duties.
The Lakers then acquired Russell Westbrook before the 2021-22 NBA season, one of the best true point guards the league has seen. However, due to Westbrook's inefficiency as a 3-point shooter, the Lakers had to use Anthony Davis at the five.
LeBron James played as a power forward next to Davis until the latter went down with an injury. Davis' absence, Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan's inconsistent performances led then-coach Frank Vogel to deploy James as the team's starting center.
🗣️ @ZachLowe_NBA believes @KingJames can play any position and still dominate!
Lakers have gone 3-1 with LeBron playing Center! 👀
#lebronjames #lakers #nba https://t.co/GAGL87Q0H0
That move resolved plenty of the Lakers' issues on offense, but it wasn't as sustainable. The Lakers needed other big wings who could shoot, but they didn't have the personnel. However, James was still efficient and did all he could to improve the team's play while playing the five.
This year, James has primarily played as the power forward. The Lakers have floor-spacing centers like Thomas Bryant and Wenyen Gabriel in Anthony Davis' absence to keep LeBron from playing center again.