NEW ORLEANS — How much LeBron Jamesrecent uptick in scoring, including 30 points in Lakers' victory with a score of 111–103 over Pelicans – proving once again that his career doesn't live up to the norm for an aging star, James confirmed the Los Angeles hierarchy on Tuesday night.
“Luke [Doncic] no need to distort his game [for me]- said James. – Luka is ours [26-year-old] franchise for this baseball club. He doesn't need to change his game. Our job is to adjust our game around it and figure it out.
“We're just trying to be dynamic and work with him. We know he's an incredible pick-and-roll player, incredible shooter. He commands the defense. He's got four eyes, sometimes six eyes. So our job is to get ourselves in the right position… It's not a problem for me, it's not a problem for me.”
Lately this has only been a problem for opposing defenses. Doncic also scored 30 points against the Pelicans, marking the second time in the Lakers' last three games that the pair topped the 30-point mark together.
Los Angeles has won three games in a row after missing two starts. Austin Reeves (left calf) and Rui Hachimura (right calf), James and Doncic ahead.
“He was just great,” Doncic said of James. “Just helping myself, helping others, kicking field goals very efficiently. … This is Bron. He can do anything. I just really appreciate him. … We're playing better with each other, game after game. And it will only get better.”
After averaging just 14 points on 41.3 percent shooting (25.9 percent from 3) in his first six games after being sidelined in the first month of the season with sciatica, the 41-year-old James has been gaining form.
Tuesday marked the seventh time in Los Angeles' last 12 games that James scored 25 or more points. During the Lakers' current winning streak, he is averaging 29 points on 58.8% shooting.
He led 8-0 in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, erasing the Pelicans' seven-point lead early in the period – hitting two 3s and finding a layup. Jared Vanderbilt by using. Doncic then put the finishing touches on the game late, hitting the New Orleans rookie. Derick Queen and then hit two of his threes—the second by falling out of bounds to beat the shot clock.
“We’re just trying to weather the storm with the guys we have,” James said. “But everything will definitely start with me and Luka. Every time we fall to the floor. He holds the ball in his hands. I will keep the ball in my hands. We have to make sure we put our guys in position to be offensive and then defensive.”
“I think it's just acknowledging what he has game by game. He's Greg Maddux at the end of his career. He doesn't play his best every night, but he has enough to win. I'm his catcher. I have to figure out how to call pitches. Sometimes he tells me to shut the pitch down and he calls his own pitch, and that's okay too.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick on LeBron James
Lakers coach JJ Redick said he never doubted James could return to this level after his injury problems, but Redick's job is to know what parts of James' game are doing better each night in his record 23rd season.
“I know LeBron, I know how much he puts into this,” Redick said. “I think it’s just recognizing what he’s got on a game-by-game basis. He's Greg Maddux at the end of his career. He doesn't play his best every night, but he has enough to win.
“But it really is, for me it is. It's like, what's the best way to use him tonight, depending on the opponent, depending on the lighting, depending on how he's moving? Sometimes we talk during games. “How do you feel playing with three balls? Fine? Okay, I’m going to run this game for you without the ball”… It’s really just a constant dialogue with him.
“What he does at 41, what he did last year at 40, is greatness. It's just another form of greatness.”
As proud as James is of his longevity, his response when asked about his availability on Wednesday when the Lakers play their second straight night against the Lakers. San Antonio Spurs proved that Redick's approach was sound.
“All back-to-back matches for the rest of the season are TBD,” James said. “I am 41 years old. I have the most minutes in NBA history. Bank [that answer] right now.”
