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dave mcmenamin
New Orleans – as much Lebron James‘Recent scoring surge – including 30 points lakers, win 111-103 Above pelican – James proved once again that his career defies convention for an aging star, reiterating the pecking order for L.A. on Tuesday night.
,Luke [Doncic] No need to change his game [for me],” James said. “Luca is ours” [26-year-old] Franchise for this ballclub. They don’t need to change their game. It’s up to us to turn our game around and figure it out.
“We just try to be dynamic and work with him. We know he’s an incredible pick-and-roll player, incredible shotmaker. He commands the defense. He’s got four eyes, sometimes six eyes. So, it’s up to us to put ourselves in the right positions. … It’s not a problem for me; it’s not an issue for me.”
Lately, this has only been an issue 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.
LA has won three games in a row while missing two starters Austin Reeves (left calf) and Rui Hachimura (right calf), moving forward with James and Doncic.
“He’s absolutely amazing,” Doncic said of James. “Just helping me, helping others, being super efficient on field goals. … That’s Bron. He can do anything. Just really appreciate that. … We’re playing better with each other game-by-game. And getting better and better.”
The 41-year-old James is returning to form after averaging just 14 points on 41.3% shooting (25.9% from 3) in his first six games after missing the first month of the season due to sciatica.
Tuesday was the seventh time in L.A.’s last 12 games that James scored 25 points or more. During the Lakers’ current win, he is averaging 29 points on 58.8% shooting.
He went on an 8-0 run in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter and erased the Pelicans’ seven-point lead to open the period – hitting two 3s and finding a layup. jared vanderbilt With an assist. Doncic made a final throw late in the game and blamed the New Orleans rookie derrick queen And then hitting two 3s of your own – the second falling out of bounds to beat the shot clock.
“We’re trying to weather the storm with the guys we have,” James said. “But, it’s definitely going to start with me and Luka every time we get on the floor. He’ll have the ball in his hands. I’ll have the ball in his hands. We’ve got to make sure we put our guys in position offensively and then defensively.”
“I think it’s just recognizing, game by game, what he has. He’s Greg Maddux at the end of his career. He doesn’t have his best stuff 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 F off and he calls his own pitch, which is OK 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 it’s Redick’s job to figure out which parts of James’ game are feeling better night after night in his record-setting 23rd season.
“I know LeBron, I know how much he puts into it,” Redick said. “I think it’s just recognizing, game by game, what he has. He’s Greg Maddux at the end of his career. He doesn’t have his best stuff 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 F off and he calls his own pitch, which is OK, too.
“But it’s really, that’s the way it is for me. It’s like: What’s the best way to use him tonight based on the opponent, based on the coverage, based on how he’s moving? We have conversations sometimes in the game. ‘How’s your 3 ball looking? OK? OK, I’m going to run this off-ball game for you’… It’s really an ongoing conversation with him.
“What he’s doing at 41, what he did last year at 40, that’s greatness. It’s a different form of greatness.”
As proud as James is of his longevity, he responded when asked about his availability when they play on Wednesday night against the Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back. San Antonio Spurs Proved that Reddick’s approach was wise.
“Every back-to-back for the rest of the season is TBD,” James said. “I’m 41 years old. I got the most minutes in NBA history. Banks.” [that answer] Now.”
