The Los Angeles Lakers have officially locked up the 3rd seed in the West and the conversation is turning to championships. A big reason for that? Their defense and at the heart of it all is LeBron James. According to head coach JJ Redick, LeBron has taken on a leadership role on defense and is the team’s “quarterback.”
LeBron as the Defensive Playcaller
After the Lakers’ 140-109 win over the Houston Rockets in their final home game of the season, JJ Redick talked about LeBron’s role in the team’s defense.
“Quarterback is an offensive position but he’s our quarterback of defense,” Redick said. “And a lot of that is his voice, his IQ.”
Redick pointed to a play during the Rockets game where Austin Reaves got switched onto one of Houston’s bigs. While Rui Hachimura ended up forcing a deflection, it was LeBron who immediately recognized the mismatch and rotated over to cover for Reaves.
That kind of awareness and communication is what makes LeBron so valuable on defense. His ability to read the game and direct his teammates has been the key to the Lakers’ improved defense this season.
Austin Reaves on LeBron’s Leadership
Reaves has played with LeBron his entire NBA career and has seen the impact of his vocal leadership on the court.
“He’s our vocal leader on and off the court. He leads by example,” Reaves said. “Whenever he’s talking on the court… everybody’s all in what he’s saying. And it’s big for us when he’s talking like that because his IQ is so high. He’s seen a billion possessions in the NBA, he’s guarded every type of player in the league, seen every scheme. So if there’s someone to listen to, I think it’s him.”
Reaves’s comments show how much respect he has for LeBron. His experience and basketball IQ make him the perfect guy for a championship team.
Defying Age: LeBron’s Remarkable Season
LeBron is 40 now. He’s the oldest player in the NBA. And he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Other than a brief absence due to a groin injury in March, he’s been a steady presence for the Lakers all season.
He played in 70 games and averaged just over 34 minutes per game. His numbers are still ridiculous:
- 24.4 points per game
- 7.8 rebounds per game
- 8.2 assists per game
- 1.0 steals per game
His shooting splits were equally impressive:
- 51.3% from the field
- 37.6% from three
- 78.2% from the line
LeBron can do all this and be a leader? He’s still great.
Looking Ahead: Lakers vs. Timberwolves
The regular season is over. Now the Lakers turn their attention to the playoffs. They’ll face the Timberwolves in the first round and have home court advantage.
For LeBron and the Lakers, it’s all about maintaining the defense and using their veteran leadership to navigate the playoffs.
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