The Los Angeles Lakers are bracing for the beginning of the season with out LeBron James, who’s sidelined with a sciatica situation on the appropriate facet of his physique.
However Luka Doncic isn’t feeling additional stress to hold the load in his absence.
“I don’t view it that method,” Doncic stated after follow on Saturday. “I simply need to play basketball. If I do much less, if I do extra, no matter it takes for me to get a win.”
Doncic admitted that dropping LeBron, even briefly, adjustments lots.
“It’s an enormous change,” he stated. “He’s an important participant. He can assist us lots. However on the finish of the day, our mentality must be ‘subsequent man up.’ We received a gaggle of fellows which have been practising and hopefully LeBron can be part of us as quickly as potential. We’re going to clearly want him. However our mentality has received to be ‘subsequent man up.’ That’s it.”
The Lakers have opened the preseason with losses to Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, then a win towards the Warriors.
JJ Redick confirmed that Doncic will play in two of Los Angeles’ remaining 4 preseason matchups and doesn’t need to be with out James for lengthy.
“You hope that [LeBron’s] again quickly,” Redick stated. “These issues could be tough. … It’s unclear what the beginning lineup goes to be, that’s the fact, till he’s again. We’ll must determine that out.”
Luka was a full participant in follow after a lighter workload all through the week.
“I had [the] nationwide group,” he stated, referring to his time enjoying for Slovenia at EuroBasket. “Enjoying one month or one thing of basketball [for Slovenia]. Clearly it’s a protracted season forward, so simply due to that.”
For now, the Lakers are anticipated to roll with Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton within the beginning 5.
Redick stated he’s additionally contemplating separate rotations for when James performs and when he doesn’t, testing combos that would maximize each lineups.
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