The athlete, recognized for his impending game this Tuesday evening against the Jazz squad, has committed a significant portion of his professional journey to upholding teams that seemed destined for failure without his presence. Simultaneously, he has expressed a consistent desire for a shift in this dynamic. This aspiration was a key factor in his initial decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. As early as 2017, he mentioned the possibility of transferring leadership of the Cavaliers to Kyrie Irving. This was prior to eight All-NBA selections. Upon his arrival in Los Angeles, the Lakers prioritized providing him with support in ball-handling, and when this proved insufficient, he advocated for the ultimately unsuccessful Russell Westbrook trade. Despite these efforts, the expected results did not materialize, and the athlete continued to perform at an exceptional level.
To be fair, this has been his consistent role in the NBA, except during brief periods of collaboration with a healthy, prime Dwyane Wade in Miami and the optimal version of Irving in Cleveland. While he has voiced intentions of distributing responsibilities, his ingrained habits of two decades often lead him to maintain control once games begin. Given his status, it’s understandable that he would assume this role. Even after the Lakers acquired Luka Dončić last February, there was a balancing act between the two players. Dončić took the most shots and had the highest usage rate on the team, though these figures were lower than his previous seasons. He often took a backseat during games, but increased his usage and shot attempts significantly in the fourth quarters of both the regular season and the playoff series against Minnesota. Dončić’s transition to the team occurred mid-season, preventing a full transfer of leadership.
A potential positive outcome from the athlete’s recent absence is that it has allowed the Lakers to redefine their strategy without the constant question of his role looming. Dončić has solidified his position and is performing at an MVP level, while other players are also excelling. Austin Reaves is on track for his first All-Star selection, Rui Hachimura is having his best season, and Deandre Ayton is making the comeback the Lakers needed. The athlete has often been on teams that relied on him for everything. Now, he’s on a team that, at least for now, seems to be functioning well independently. He’s experiencing what he’s long desired, but also entering a situation that is new to him.
His injury may prove to be advantageous in this transition. His integration back into the team will be gradual. He commented after his initial practice with the Lakers this season that his breathing felt labored and that he would need time to regain his stamina through game minutes. A few games with somewhat limited minutes will be instrumental in determining his precise role within this evolving team dynamic. The Lakers’ schedule is also favorable, with a series of games against the Jazz (twice), the Clippers, the Mavericks, the Pelicans, the Suns, the Raptors, and the Celtics leading up to mid-December. They are likely to be the favorites in these matchups, assuming they remain reasonably healthy, which provides an opportunity to experiment.
The athlete will not become a bench player, as his talent is too significant, regardless of the team’s needs. However, the Lakers should aim for a balanced approach. He doesn’t need to score 25 points per game; 18-20 points should be adequate, ideally within the team’s offensive flow to maintain the rhythm established by Dončić and Reaves.
Achieving this balance should be straightforward. Increasingly, the athlete’s points have come from fast breaks in recent years. This isn’t because he’s running more, but because he’s actively seeking easier scoring opportunities while facilitating for teammates in slower plays, where creating his own shots requires more effort.
He has also become a more willing shooter in catch-and-shoot situations. In Cleveland, he reached a peak of 1.6 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers per game. With the Lakers, this number has risen to 3.5, a figure the team would like him to match or surpass, as they currently have the fewest catch-and-shoot 3-pointers in the league. He acknowledged this as a crucial area for improvement before the season began.
“I focused on my catch-and-shoot 3-pointers,” he stated during media day in October. ” … Understanding how can I make the most of when I don’t have the ball, either moving into space. Obviously, Luka and AR [Austin Reaves] going to do a lot of time handling the ball. …We have a lot of guys that can handle the ball, so how can I still be effective on a team where I don’t have to handle the ball as much?”
It’s worth noting that this statement was made before the full extent of his injury was known. Dončić didn’t need to fight for his role as the team’s primary player; the athlete seemed ready to willingly concede it. His return will provide insight into what his new role as a supporting player means for him. There will likely be challenges as the Lakers adapt to integrating one of the most dominant ball-handlers of all time. However, he is also one of the most adaptable players in history. He has the skills to fulfill any role the Lakers need. His mindset and the circumstances will be the determining factors. His return will show how he handles this situation, which he has expressed a desire for and which the Lakers now require him to embrace.
