The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face a grueling schedule this January from a game standpoint, forcing head coach JJ Redick to make drastic adjustments.
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Redick reportedly made the decision 12 or 13 days ago to cancel morning shootarounds on game days to protect LeBron James, who turns 41 and needs extra recovery time to play in his 23rd NBA season.
With the Lakers sitting fifth in the West at 23-14, the second-year coach has now detailed how he is managing the hardcore schedule.
JJ Redick Admits LeBron James’ Age Drove Lakers to Eliminate Game-Day Shootarounds
The Lakers’ roster has been hit hard by injuries this season. While Redick is making necessary adjustments for LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic have also missed games due to injury. Reports say the combined total absences reach 19 games, making January’s schedule especially challenging.
“We made the decision about 12 or 13 days ago that we weren’t going to do morning shootarounds anymore,” Redick told reporters. “Part of that thought process was simple: we have a 41-year-old who shouldn’t be on his feet twice a day. Let’s only rev the engine once”.
Redick added that the decision to cancel shootarounds came from reading his personnel. “The other part was just reading our personnel. What are we actually getting out of shootaround based on who’s on our team?”
James declared he’s “TBD” for any and all back-to-backs since turning 41. When James sat out the second game against the Spurs, the Lakers’ offense looked lost without him.
Redick referenced Friday’s loss to Milwaukee as proof his team was tired, stating, “Friday night felt like we were a little tired. We gave our effort, but we didn’t have the pop and the juice against Milwaukee. And I probably attribute that to back-to-back 3 AM get-in-the-city nights.”
Redick recalled his playing days in Philadelphia when teams made similar decisions for Joel Embiid. “For us in Philly, we always met at the arena after probably a month and a half into the season because that was good for Joel. That was good for our star player – for him to not have wake up at 8 AM, drive in, get to the facility, all that stuff.”
This redesign will ensure at least Doncic and James are on the floor across four quarters in the most important games. The two stars must coexist for the Lakers to compete, and there is no second option without keeping them healthy.
Redick recently compared James to Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux when discussing expectations. However, it is not surprising that, like Maddux, who didn’t retire until 42, James can’t perform at peak in every game.
So, for now, the coach bets on the rest over the repetition approach that differs from old-school coaches who demanded maximum effort always. It remains to be seen how this helps to improve their 23-14 record.
