The Los Angeles Lakers need to bring themselves on the path of success as LeBron James enters Year 20 of his career, still looking like he is in his prime. He can’t single-handedly will the Lakers to championship-quality basketball, but he is the best shot they have.
Even if the Lakers add a dream target like Kyrie Irving, the best player on the court will be LeBron James. With people suggesting that the Lakers will succeed if LeBron plays off-ball for Russell Westbrook more, it doesn’t look like the new head coach agrees.
Darvin Ham has opened up on the idea of LeBron James ‘sacrificing’ for the good of the team. Ham honestly said that he doesn’t know if sacrifice for LeBron refers to giving the ball to other players more often as he doesn’t think that kind of sacrifice is the best thing for the team.
“I don’t really know what sacrifice means for LeBron James on this Lakers team because if it means giving the ball up to other people, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I kind of want LeBron to have the ball basically all the time, every possession, run the show.”
LeBron led the league in assists just a couple of seasons ago, so his ability to control the court and create for others is proven. The Lakers could easily build an ideal starting 5 around LeBron with the right pieces, provided LeBron is the ultimate floor general. However, due to the Lakers’ roster construction, LeBron often found himself playing at center instead of point guard last season.
LeBron’s court awareness is the one thing that won’t age out. Hopefully, the Lakers can find a mix of point guard LeBron and whatever else LeBron wants to do. He is their most versatile player and can play anywhere on the floor, and that ability further adds to Darvin Ham’s ability to find the ideal lineup alongside LeBron. That happens if LeBron is the one with the ball, not somebody else.
