There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers offense and how it will function under new head coach JJ Redick. Perhaps the most important is how Redick will utilize LeBron James in his 22nd NBA season and Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal has given his thoughts on what the star should focus on this season.
Passing and vision are arguably LeBron’s greatest strengths and there are only a few players in league history who have had his size and vision. The best of them is Magic Johnson and he’s the guy Shaq thinks LeBron should emulate at this point in his career.
In a recent episode of The Big Podcast with ShaqThe Hall of Famer said LeBron should let Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves carry the scoring load while he focuses more on creating and keeping the rest of the team involved, like Magic did during his career with the Lakers:
“If I were LeBron, knowing that I already have all the records, I would pass them to AD. I would demand that AD – because, listen, LeBron can still do what he does, but, ‘I don’t need to have the ball all the time. I don’t need to score all the points. So, AD, I need you to score all the points. Austin Reaves, you can be the No. 2. I can just be the old Magic Johnson-style point guard and keep everybody involved and just keep it going.’”
Johnson had an incredible ability to control the game without needing to score all the time and LeBron has the same ability. In Shaq’s eyes, James could help the rest of the Lakers elevate and Davis has shown that he is capable of being the go-to player on offense.
This idea might not fit with Redick’s plans for the Lakers as he has said. Davis being the center of the attack while taking that pressure off James and allow him to operate more without the ball. But LeBron will certainly have plenty of opportunities to be that premier facilitator that everyone knows.
LeBron James still confident in Lakers’ ability to compete for title
Having LeBron James as the true point guard for these Lakers could be their best chance to elevate the rest of the team and bring them closer to the title race. That’s the ultimate goal as always and despite the Lakers’ lack of offseason moves, LeBron remains confident in their ability to compete.
The Lakers superstar said that As long as he and Anthony Davis are on the roster, he believes they can lead the team to success. while adding that he feels they are not far from reaching that championship level.
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