LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers only managed to win 33 games last season. Thus, they failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs and even missed the play-in tournament. As a result of these events, the LA Lakers have introduced several changes to the team heading into the new season.
Some of the many moves the Lakers made this season include firing and hiring a new coach as well as signing Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schroder. We already know that the addition of Russell Westbrook to the team did not bode well for them this season. The inclusion of these new pieces and coaching staff could mean King James would have to play differently in Year 20 than he did in Year 19.
Most of us already consider LeBron James to be one of the best passers the NBA has ever seen. Therefore, his unique build and skillset allow him to play all 5 positions in basketball. To those unfamiliar, the positions are; point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center.
King James was recently asked what position he plans to play and how he will approach this season. It is important to understand what LeBron said and try to decipher how the Lakers will play him this season.
LeBron James thinks he is a positionless player but will rely on the Los Angeles Lakers coach
We already know what the 4x NBA champion is capable of. NBA experts will have to scratch their heads and ponder to create a list of things LeBron cant do in basketball. He is definitely one of the most versatile players the game has ever seen.
Since King James is media trained, he did not blurt out a position he would like to play next season. Instead, he said that the decision would ultimately be the Lakers coach Darwin Ham’s. Whatever the decision could be, he will abide by it.
“For me, I’m just a ball player. You put me on the floor, I can make anything happen. I don’t really have a position…If it calls for me to handle the ball a bit more, I can do that. If it calls for me to be a screen setter I can do that… I’m more of a positionless type of player. So you put me on the floor, I can make things happen.”
It is important to keep in the back of our minds that the Lakers have two more guards. That means LeBron might have to play an impactful position on the inside as well as facilitate the ball on offense. This is quite a Herculean task to pull off at his advanced age. However, if there is anyone who can do it, it is LeBron.