LeBron James will have a new role for the upcoming season (if that’s what you want to call it). The Lakers have announced that LeBron will be the new starting point guard. James will start with Danny Green in the Lakers backcourt. The rest of the starting lineup has not been announced but I assume it also includes Kyle Kuzma, Anthony Davis, and JaVale McGee.
Yahoo Sports reporter Chris Haynes had the following:
“LAS VEGAS — The new-look Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2019-20 season with the intention of starting LeBron James at point guard, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
James, 34, will be entering his 17th NBA season and is prepared to become the floor general in an effort to maximize a roster that’s suddenly built to contend for a championship with the addition of All-Star forward Anthony Davis and a few complementary pieces.
James, a four-time league MVP, and newly acquired Danny Green are expected to start in the backcourt, sources said.”
Okay, sooooo how is this any different than what LeBron James has been doing for the past 17 years? He’s always been a point guard – point forward. The ball is ALWAYS in his hands. So much so that it’s often a detriment to others. LeBron had a 31 percent usage rate a year ago despite “playing off the ball”. In previous years that number has been higher too. What the hell does that usage rate look like if he wasn’t the point guard before?
This is a terrible idea and it’s no different from what LeBron has always done. LeBron dribbles the ball up the floor, finds a switch, and drives to the basket. If a double team comes, then he passes and pads the assist like he made some magical play. There is no play calling involved. It’s all elementary.
There are two issues here. It’s already been statically proven that LeBron has a negative impact on his teammates. He needs the ball in his hands less, not more. Two, if the Lakers want to save LeBron’s body, this is the wrong way to go about it. Put him in the post as a scorer and kick out
