- Paul Pierce backs notion that LeBron James wouldn’t beat fake Celtics superteam as he ‘ran him outta Cleveland’
- Donovan Mitchell rips Dillon Brooks: ‘It’s tough when you can’t guard somebody…you gotta resort to that’
- Report: Cavs and Mavericks interested in Cam Reddish
- Isaac Okoro declares he’s never played with someone ‘as tall or as dependable’ as Evan Mobley
- Report: Cavs believed to be targeting shooting help as deadline approaches
- Report: Cavs dangling Cedi Osman more than Caris LeVert in trade talks as they search for wing help
- Dean Wade sends stern warning to rest of NBA if Darius Garland isn’t named to All-Star Game
- Report: Kawhi Leonard and Paul George among several Clippers missing game vs. Cavs
- Cavs insider tells fans to keep an eye on Josh Hart as trade rumors swirl
- Report: Hawks big man John Collins has been connected to Cavs in trade rumors
ESPN Insider Reveals How LeBron Has Decided to Change Style of Play With Lakers
- Updated: July 4, 2018
Now that LeBron James has landed with the Los Angeles Lakers, his jersey and new teammates are just two of the things that will be changing over next season. Besides shedding his Cleveland Cavaliers jersey, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes that James will be adapting a new style of play with those teammates.
Windhorst: “I think I know what’s going on. LeBron doesn’t want to play the way he played in Cleveland….I think LeBron is going to try play off the ball a bit more."
— Ry (@JustRyCole) July 3, 2018
James’ outstanding passing abilities allow for better spacing among his teammates, though it remains to be seen whether or not the Lakers roster is currently up to the challenge of quickly adapting to their legendary teammate when it comes to that department.
This past season, there was some criticism about his holding onto the ball for too long while in search of a possible assist. However, the fact that such talk emerged during the Cavaliers’ severe struggles in January points more toward frustration than pinpointing an actual problem. Another factor that led to such criticism generally came on nights where teammates were missing the shots that James helped set up, something that was impossible for him to control.
The burden that James was under when it came to holding the ball for so long was due in part to the Cavaliers’ issues at point guard in 2017-18. While it didn’t take a toll on him physically, given that he managed to put up an MVP-type year and played in all 104 of the team’s games, he’ll be turning 34 in December. With the Lakers adding veteran Rajon Rondo to their roster and having a potential star in Lonzo Ball continuing to develop, that opportunity to play more off the ball would allow for much less stress and strain over the course of the NBA season.
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