There is perhaps such a factor as an excessive amount of LeBron.
Unable to belief any of his reserve gamers in Recreation 4 of a best-of-seven sequence towards the Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick opted to play the identical 5 gamers for all the second half — fairly than play any of his bench gamers — in a crushing 116-113 defeat to go down 3-1 within the sequence.
It maybe led to a scoreless fourth for LeBron James when the Lakers wanted their 40-year-old star probably the most.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson let Redick hear it for the choice which will have price the Lakers their season.
“I don’t know if it smart to play LeBron and Luka the entire second half after only having one day of rest between Games 3 and 4,” Johnson stated in a submit on X. “When we needed LeBron to take over in the fourth quarter he couldn’t – he scored 0 points in the fourth.”
ESPN character Kendrick Perkins echoed related sentiments in a submit on X.
“Rookie Mistake by JJ!!! Bron and Luka [Doncic] were dead tired… you’ve have to find time to get them some rest. Especially a 40-year-old Lebron James who’s in his 100th season.”
Taking part in all 24 minutes of the second half was actually an odd selection for a similar five-man lineup, however particularly for James, who was tasked with being the central defender on Anthony Edwards in addition to a major supply of offense for Los Angeles.
James ended the sport with 27 factors, 12 rebounds and eight assists with a powerful three steals and three blocks in 46 minutes.
Los Angeles handed on the possibility to relaxation both of their stars at first of the fourth quarter after they have been main by 10 factors.
As an alternative, Redick took an opportunity that they may construct on the result in carry them by way of the end line.
That may be for naught as Edwards nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter, because the double-digit lead had almost evaporated by the five-minute mark.
After the sport, Redick was requested whether or not he second-guessed not giving James a minute or two to relaxation for the top of the sport stretch run.
“Not on that one,” Redick stated, including that he requested these 5 gamers in the event that they have been capable of go all the fourth quarter. “Once you’ve kind of made that decision, you just got to trust them.”
Redick additionally blamed the referees for a “blatant trip” on star Luka Doncic with slightly below two minutes remaining, which led to a crucial turnover by James on an ensuing inbounds play.
Los Angeles is competing for a championship with a makeshift roster after failing to amass a middle after Anthony Davis was despatched to the Mavericks within the Doncic deal.
That they had an settlement in place to amass Mark Williams from the Hornets in trade for rookie Dalton Knecht and draft picks, however the Lakers’ workers failed Williams’ medical examination, leaving Los Angeles bereft of the dimensions wanted to compete on the highest degree.
Johnson, who beforehand operated because the Lakers’ president when James signed with the workforce in 2018 earlier than quitting and handing the job over to rival Rob Pelinka, is arguably partly responsible for the Lakers’ lack of depth at heart to start with.
Johnson traded away Ivica Zubac to the Clippers for Mike Muscala, who’s now out of the league in 2019, simply two months previous to resigning from the Lakers entrance workplace in 2019.
Zubac, a Defensive Participant of the Yr candidate, has blossomed right into a star throughout city.
Los Angeles will get an additional day’s relaxation as they head house, licking their wounds, as they put together to defend their house courtroom on Wednesday in a must-win elimination sport towards the Timberwolves.
