LeBron James, the legendary figure we all love, is learning a hard lesson under rookie coach JJ Redick, and the early results aren’t exactly fit for a throne. With the LA Lakers starting the season in a rollercoaster of unpredictability, we’re seeing LeBron averaging 21.9 points per game—numbers that haven’t been this low since his rookie season back in 2003. Sure, his 3-point shooting has been uncharacteristically hot at 44.4%, but his efficiency on 2-pointers has dipped to 50.7%, a stat that surely has basketball historians raising an eyebrow or two.
As Lakers fans start to whisper about the possibility of LeBron slowing down in his 21st season, here are three reasons Redick’s rookie coaching experiment may be sending LeBron’s stats into uncharted (and less regal) territory.
1. JJ’s Hustle on Defense Might Be Too Much for His Majesty
You’ve got to hand it to JJ Redick—he’s ambitious. Redick, who’s been preaching the gospel of transition defense and aggressive switching, seems to have the Lakers moving more than the “fast” setting on a Peloton bike. But, at nearly 40 years old, LeBron may not have quite as much pep in his step for nightly defensive sprints. And can you blame him? With a Hall of Fame legacy and millions of mileage in those legs, maybe conserving energy for the playoffs seems like the way to go. But in the meantime, it seems Redick’s “everybody move!” mantra is nudging LeBron out of his comfort zone—and his scoring groove.
2. Lower Usage Rate: King James Gets Demoted to Noble
It’s not every day that you see LeBron play second fiddle. But in JJ’s new world order, that’s precisely what’s happening. Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ own towering enigma, has become the focal point of Redick’s offense, holding a hefty 32.4% usage rate compared to LeBron’s 25.3%. For a guy who usually owns the court like it’s his backyard, this change may feel like LeBron’s been bumped from lead actor to supporting role. And while Davis is putting up a league-leading 32.6 points per game, those numbers seem to come at a price—the King’s stat line.
3. Redick’s Motion Offense: Making LeBron Run Even More
JJ Redick, in his first coaching gig, seems to be bringing his own twist to LA’s offensive playbook with a heavy dose of team-oriented motion offense. It sounds nice on paper—a system where everyone gets a touch. But it’s safe to say that this “everyone gets involved” strategy is turning LeBron from a dominant, ball-handling force into… well, a more tired version of himself. Picture this: the guy who could famously control the court now has to run around screens and off-ball cuts, covering more ground than he probably anticipated at this point in his career.
So, what’s next? Will LeBron figure out a way to thrive in Redick’s new-age offense? Or will he be content with preserving energy and letting AD and the younger squad members do the heavy lifting? One thing’s for sure—the Lakers’ season just got a lot more interesting.
And for those hoping for a LeBron resurgence, don’t count him out just yet. After all, if there’s one thing LeBron’s proven over 20 years, it’s that he’s got a knack for making “comebacks” look easy. Let’s just hope JJ finds a way to bring that side out before the buzzer.
