When LeBron James set a goal to play in all 82 games for them Los Angeles Lakers This season the odds were immediately against him. In 21 full He only played 82 games once, in the 2017/18 season, when he was still relatively close to the peak of his performance. He's no longer there. Lately, LeBron didn't feel close.
Although James has yet to miss a game for the Lakers this season, his performance is clearly starting to decline. He has missed all 19 of his 3-point attempts in his last four games. His shooting percentages near the basket are starting to decline. His defense was inconsistent at best. Perhaps for the first time in his career, James is starting to look old. That makes sense considering his 40th birthday comes later this month, but it forces key Lakers figures to rethink the 82-game goal.
“I don't know that it's in his best interest and our best interest for him to do that, but if he's good and he's feeling good then he should play,” head coach said JJ Redick said after Tuesday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in which James scored just 10 points on 4 of 16 shooting. James described 82 games as “a goal,” but not one he would talk about at this point.
Fortunately, the Lakers still have some time before they have to make difficult decisions about James' status. After playing back-to-back games last week, the Lakers don't have another game scheduled until early January. That gives James time to figure things out on a more normal schedule before the Lakers have to seriously consider load management options.
Notably, the NBA's player participation guidelines provide an exception for players who are 35 or older on opening night. James is definitely eligible, so the Lakers are free to rest him if necessary. The danger here, frankly, is that the Lakers simply aren't strong enough to win consistently without him. At the moment they are dealing with a number of injuries to their supporting players. Jarred Vanderbilt And Christian Wood haven't played this season yet and Austin Reaves has missed the team's last two games.
At 12-9, the Lakers are currently in eighth place in the Western Conference. They're just one game away from the No. 4 seed, but just one game ahead of No. 11 seed Minnesota. Like a year ago, a few games either way could be the difference between making the playoffs and missing them.
The Lakers will need the best James has to offer if they want to get there. Until now, that has meant playing against him as much as possible. Maybe the team will adapt over time and try to play better over fewer games and minutes.
