LeBron James recently shared some concerning news about his well-being, which could leave fans of the Lakers feeling uneasy.
Despite facing injuries and sickness, LeBron James showed his dominance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ close 104-105 win over the Houston Rockets. He scored an impressive 37 points, with 14 of those points coming in the fourth quarter. Even though he wasn’t feeling great, he shared with the media that he was in a good groove and that the competition helped motivate him to keep playing through his discomfort.
In the recent game against the Rockets, LeBron James played for 40 minutes and proved crucial to the Lakers’ offense in the fourth quarter. It’s surprising to note that the Lakers had put a cap on his playing time at the start of this season, yet he has averaged 34.4 minutes so far. While there are rumors of injuries, keeping his playing time so high could prove to be a risky decision for the Lakers. This was evident from their experience last season. Additionally, fans should also be concerned about Anthony Davis playing through a hip injury at present. It is not feasible for the Lakers to continue relying on both their star players with such heavy usage for the next 68 games.
The Lakers are at a crossroads this season as they decide whether to make a move for a third star or rely on their deep bench of versatile players. While D’Angelo Russell has had some inconsistent moments, he is still having a strong season. Similarly, Austin Reaves started off poorly but has been performing well coming off the bench. Cam Reddish is showing his worth as a top perimeter defender, and Taurean Prince has earned trust as a 3-and-D forward. Christian Wood is doing decently, and Rui Hachimura is expected to have a big role. However, trading multiple pieces away from this core may not be the best idea, even for a one-dimensional offensive player like Zach LaVine. The Lakers have always struggled with injuries, and their depth will allow them to play through tough stretches of the season with rotational value instead of resorting to players on the buyout market. Furthermore, the Lakers are still waiting for Jarred Vanderbilt to make his debut, who could help take the load off Anthony Davis and provide another option for a defense-focused big. Gabe Vincent also had a slow start but would provide guard relief. While his $10 million contract may be among the most movable in the Lakers’ roster, he’ll have to play well to secure his spot post-February. While a third star could theoretically add offensive stability, it may ultimately reduce the team’s overall depth and become a bigger issue in the long run, especially if injuries occur. The Lakers have until February to continue trusting their roster and hoping their chemistry improves.
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