Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was praised by the team’s head coach JJ Redick for his defensive skills, calling him the “best” defense player in the team, despite popular criticism against such sentiment.
In a conversation with reporters, Redick cited LeBron’s attention to detail, among other things, as his strong asset that made him a good defensive player.
“He’s the best on our team with attention to detail and shifts,” Redick told reporters. “His high shift to then close, his high shift and to then get back to his man. He was great with that tonight.”
LeBron James finally returned to the court in the Lakers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers ultimately won, with LeBron contributing 18 points for the 116-100 win.
Talking about LeBron’s frequency inside the court moving forward, Redick mentioned it would require communication.
“I think it requires communication and feedback from both parties,” he said. “It also maybe not [about] sitting out a game, maybe it’s not even less minutes but shorter runs, so that he’s not getting gassed, and quicker segments on the bench, and he’s back in.”
JJ Redick on LeBron James taking a Break: “It’s Important”
LeBron James started this season with a promise to himself and to his fans that he would play no less than 82 games. So far, he stayed true to his promise, until he missed the Lakers’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this December, due to his left foot soreness.
On the topic of rest, head coach JJ Recik said that LeBron taking a rest is important not only physically but for his overall mental well-being as well.
“I think it’s important,” Redick told reporters. “Hopefully, when I talked to him earlier this week, I think I said something along those lines, just hoping that he was getting the mind and body reset and he said he felt like he was. I played 15 (years) and was emotionally, mentally, physically drained, [and] fried.
JJ Redick pregame on LeBron getting more than a week off to reset: pic.twitter.com/jOY0B27kKF
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) December 16, 2024
“I put everything I had into this game and had nothing left. For guys like him and [Chris Paul], the Tom Bradys of the world, the Roger Federers of the world, it’s hard to comprehend having that level of sustained excellence for so long because of the toll that it takes on all of you. Not just your body.”
Redick previously expressed concern over James’ dedication to playing 82 games this season, saying that it “might not be in the best interest” of LeBron and the team as a whole.
So far this season, LeBron James is averaging 23 points per game, 8 rebounds, and 9.1 assists.
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