New Lakers coach JJ Redick reportedly outlined his plan for LeBron James and Anthony Davis during an “impressive” meeting with team management recently, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Jovan Buha.
“Redick described a system molded around this roster, focusing on elevating Anthony Davis’ involvement, particularly late in games, and alleviating the constant ballhandling duties on James by utilizing him more off the ball,” the report says.
“Keeping James, who turns 40 in December, fresh down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs will be critical.”
Ensuring James stays fresh promises to be an interesting challenge for Redick.
Previous Lakers coach, Darvin Ham, sought to limit James’ minutes when he took over two years ago, but that plan was thrown out almost immediately. The team was too reliant on James’ production, and it was clear he didn’t want to spend long stretches on the bench.
If Redick has similar ambitions, he may not be in the best position to lay down the law, considering he does not have any high-level coaching experience whatsoever.
His time coaching the Lakers will be an intriguing test of his relationship with James.
