Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is recovering nicely from his sciatica and has been upgraded to questionable for Tuesday night’s contest against the Utah Jazz.
While many are unsure of how JJ Redick will utilize James on the hardwood, Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk believes the four-time NBA champion’s role with the Lakers is painfully obvious.
“LeBron James can focus on being a defensive leader for Los Angeles,” Rovenchuk wrote Tuesday.
“James participated in practice with Los Angeles for the first time on Monday. After the fact, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported the aging superstar was officially listed as questionable to make his season debut on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz.”
“Whether he does or does not, once James finally takes the court for the Lakers this season, the team needs him much more on the defensive end in 2025-26 than they do on offense.”
Asking James to hang his hat on the defensive end at age 40 isn’t ideal. The former Cleveland Cavaliers star is in phenomenal shape entering his 23rd NBA season, as he regularly takes tremendous care of his body.
Still, James has earned a reputation for taking plays off on the defensive end as he’s aged, allowing him to preserve energy for Los Angeles’ offensive possessions.
With Reaves and Doncic thriving as the Lakers’ top scoring options this season, though, James’ offensive load will lighten, possibly forcing him to alter the way he impacts games with the Lakers moving forward.
More NBA: LeBron James inching closer to season debut with Lakers