Whether it's in the starting lineup, coming off the bench or even on the pickleball court, Marcus Smart knows he can provide what the Lakers need. So the return of LeBron James and how that might impact his role isn't slowing Smart down.
“I like [think of] I'm a Swiss Army knife,” Smart said Saturday as the Lakers prepared to play in Utah on Sunday. “It's not one thing I do well, but I do everything very well. … People are returning, people are suffering. People have great games and people have bad games. You have to adapt to what the game requires at the moment.”
Four days before regrouping after James' long-awaited season debut, the Lakers (11-4) are looking to continue their strong start. Before James returned, Smart started nine straight games. On Tuesday, Smart played a season-worst 17 minutes. victory 140-126 against the Jazz at home, scoring five points with three rebounds. He only made two shots, but coach JJ Redick praised Smart's play off the bench, as well as the play of Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes and Gabe Vincent.
Vincent returned from a sprained ankle that cost him 11 games to score six points on 2-point shooting from 3-point range. LaRavia led the bench with 16 points and four rebounds. He shot 6 of 10 from the field, including two 3-pointers.
After signing as a free agent this offseason, LaRavia knew the opportunity to play with James was part of the deal. He had to endure training camp, the preseason and 14 games to get his wish, but it was worth it. LaRavia, 24, who was five days shy of his second birthday when James made his NBA debut, knocked down a goal in the first quarter off an assist from James.
“It was great to finally get on the court with him,” LaRavia said. “He brought something to this team that I don't think we really had. It's a different level of passing that he can do and just the strength that he brings to the offense in transition and just when he has the ball in his hands.”
The Lakers are tied for second in turnover possessions per game, but they are picking up the pace. Through the first nine games, the team scored 9.5% of transition points. Over the last five games, that mark has risen to 13.4%.
Utah (5-10) is one of the fastest teams, averaging 102.6 possessions per game. The pace of training increases every year, and heavier workloads have made minor soft tissue injuries an unfortunate reality in the NBA. They also take long breaks between games, like the four-day extension the Lakers got last week, a big luxury.
In between much-needed rest and effective training for a team that has only been fully healthy for a week, the Lakers also used the time for team bonding in the form of a pickleball tournament filled with trash talk.
Smart, Redick and a third teammate, chief video coordinator Michael Wexler, whom Redick anonymously accused of eating throughout the tournament, advanced to the semifinals. They lost to Luka Doncic and player development coach Ty Abbott. LaRavia and assistant coach Beau Levesque won the championship. Redick raised questions about the fairness of team rosters.
As with anything involving ultra-competitive athletes, even innocent pickleball games were heated. Smart tried to be careful not to push his limits too much.
“The last thing I want to do is twist my ankle trying to play pickleball,” said Smart, who said he would rather play tennis.
It was still a welcome break from the monotony of the season, Redick said. He rated the experience an A.
“We got through this week not wanting to kill each other,” Redick said with a grin.
Etc.
Center Deandre Ayton missed Saturday's practice due to illness. He was expected to join the team for the trip to Utah.
