DENVER — Ahead of his team’s victory over the Pelicans on Tuesday, Lakers coach JJ Redick candidly addressed the complexities of managing the lineups featuring their star trio: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. The inherent challenge does not lie in arranging these players into separate units but rather in optimizing the times they share the court.
Redick expressed that the real difficulty arises when all three are playing together, as each player desires a substantial share of the ball. “The reality is someone, or in some cases, people have to sacrifice,” he stated, noting that all three superstars must adapt their play styles when on the floor at the same time. Notably, LeBron James has seen his usage rate dip to the lowest of his illustrious 23-season career, while Reaves has also had to adjust his role since joining the dynamic duo of Doncic and James.
This season has been marked by injuries, with the Lakers playing only 18 games together with all three stars available out of 62. Consequently, the overall statistics might not reveal the true extent of sacrifice required from each player. Doncic entered the matchup leading the league in usage rate at 36.2%, while Reaves was at a career-high of 26.9%. Yet, since the All-Star break, their usage has significantly declined, with Doncic’s dropping to 33.9% and Reaves seeing the most substantial decrease from 28% to 22.4%.
Despite individual statistics taking a hit, the Lakers’ collective performance has improved. As of Thursday, the team boasted the fifth-best offense in the league in the weeks following the All-Star break, although this success came against relatively weaker opponents. The Lakers have begun to excel in winning minutes during which Doncic, James, and Reaves share the court, a facet they struggled with earlier in the season.
To facilitate this progress, adjustments have been made, including Reaves entering games earlier in the second and fourth quarters to find more synergy with James absent Doncic. This strategy aims to reintegrate Reaves into offensive plays more effectively, allowing him to contribute as a ball handler.
“We’re just going to keep pushing till we have it,” Redick affirmed. The theme of sacrifice will remain essential for the Lakers in the final stretch of the regular season, as achieving their desired level of success necessitates collaboration and adjustments from everyone in the lineup. With continuous efforts and fine-tuning, there is optimism surrounding their capacity to elevate their play as the playoffs approach.