Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel does not expect LeBron James to actively participate in all of the league matches this season. The veteran enters his 19th NBA season and was on the sidelines for a significant amount of period last season due to a high ankle sprain among other issues.
The Western Conference giants were heavily reliant on LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with a stark contrast in difference observed during their absence.
Ahead of their season opener against Golden State Warriors, Frank Vogel told reporters that he wishes to limit LeBron James to 34 minutes per night.
Frank Vogel says they'll manage LeBron James' workload "day to day" during this season. He doesn't see him playing 82 games.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) October 18, 2021
Frank Vogel wants to keep LeBron James to about 34 minutes a night this season.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) October 18, 2021
In the 45 matches that he featured in the league stage, LeBron James averaged 33.2 minutes per game. Circumstances were different last season with the players coming off the shortest over off-season. Injuries were common with high-profile players being a constant on the injury list.
Despite a good enough off-season period, the Lakers do no not wish to put additional load on leBron James. With the rest of the entourage failing to step up the task and make his job easier, the management axed most of the roster to bring in veterans to get the job done.
The presence of Russell Westbrook as a guard will also play a huge role in supporting LeBron James, as he looks for his 5th championship and his 2nd with the Lakers.
Frank Vogel to consult LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the starting lineup
Despite the busy off-season, the Lakers have endured a rough start to the season with an embarrassing 0-6 record in the preseason.
“We’ll have conversations, both with the coaching staff, the front office and with our captains, and see what everybody is feeling about it,” Vogel said
The coach also did not fret over the team’s poor preseason performances with the team’s improved chemistry over the course of the games being the main takeaway.
“Not concerning. At the end of the day, it’s really about the practice work that we’re putting in,” he explained. “These are practice games where you are working on things. Your building rhythm and timing and all those things. Getting to the finish line of the preseason healthy. That’s the biggest thing. You get as much rhythm and timing as you can while remaining healthy. Obviously, I don’t think we finished any of our fourth quarters with our main group.”
Also Read:
Ben Simmons thrown out of 76ers practice session by Doc Rivers
