Lakers Should Start Smart with Bronny James

Shooting 4 of 16 is pretty bad. Bronny James couldn't do worse and plays good defense. Reeves averages just 16.9 points in playoff games. Even at his average he would not be enough to close the scoring gap with the Thunder. Coach Reddick should run the youngest players and keep swapping them out so they do at least get some playoff experience and make the Thunder sweat a little.

Adou Theiro should start as well. Hachimura and The Rival of Time are reliable, yet the rival does slump in the next one following a full time game. Theiro should replace Laravia; he couldn't do worse. Laravia and Reeves off the bench may be more accurate when they do get into the game. Each could consider the cosmos and meaning of Minkowski points while waiting to play. 

Lakers Lose Two in a Row to Durantless Rockets

 The Los Angeles Lakers were rolling along taking a commanding lead in the best of seven game series with an ad hoc line up when the two highest scoring players were out. Luke Kennard; the most accurate three point shooter in the league, was a dead-eye in the first two games and averaging more than 20 points a game as a substitute starter.

Then coach Reddick mentioned the possible return of guard Austin Reeves and, coincidently, Kennard found that someone had put a lid over the basket and couldn't buy a three point shot. One might think his confidence and accuracy was clipped when his magic starring role mojo vanished and critics returned to describe him as a choker.

The Lakers lost the last two games to the Rockets (playing without Houston's star Kevin Durant) and may lose two additional games. If Luke Kennard could rediscover confidence in shooting and not find his point of aim slightly off- nervous perhaps, he might be able to hit the bullseye again. At any rate coach Reddick failed to diversify his line-up and run the youth squad a lot more. He tends to be overly conservative with player selection as a coach.

I suppose it won't matter if the Lakers lose the series or win it, perhaps returning to Los Angeles in game seven. It is nearly certain that the conservative player rotation will get the Lakers defeated by the OKC Thunder in the next series if they win. In fact the Lakers would probably lose to OKC even if Luca Doncik and Austin Reeves play full time.Doncik is the league's highest scorer for the regular season and injured a hamstring against OKC the last time they met in the regular season and hasn't played since. It would be a shame to return him too early and risk a more serious reinjury when they are likely going to lose 4-1 or 4-2 anyway. Coach Reddick doesn't trust his younger players on the bench, and played the slumping Kennard even when he should have resumed the off the bench to make threes role and let Bronny James or Nick Smith Jr. start.

Lebron the Matador vs OKC (the bull)

 Gary– Lebron’s games after he over-exerts are often off-nights and sloppy, underperforming. That is why I would play him in just the first and fourth quarters for the remainder of his career

Gemini– The trend you’ve noticed—LeBron struggling after high-minute efforts—is exactly what happened between Games 3 and 4 of this series. After logging 45 minutes in a Game 3 victory, his performance in Game 4 dropped significantly. 

The Game 3 vs. Game 4 “Hangover”

Your observation that overexertion leads to sloppy play is backed by his most recent box scores:

Metric	Game 3 (Win)	[Game 4 (Loss)](1.2.1, 1.5.2)
Minutes Played	45	33
Points	29	10
Field Goal %	45.5%	22.2%
Turnovers	8	8
Efficiency	34	12

While he played fewer minutes in Game 4, the 8 turnovers and career-low 22% shooting suggest he hadn’t recovered from the Game 3 marathon. 

The “First and Fourth” Strategy

Using LeBron strictly in the 1st and 4th quarters is a strategy some analysts have called “extreme periodization”. While JJ Redick hasn’t gone that far, he has already begun shifting LeBron’s usage:

• Resting Mid-Quarters: Redick has started playing LeBron less in the first three quarters to preserve him for the fourth, though he hasn’t fully committed to sitting him for the entire 2nd and 3rd.
• Reduced Regular Season Load: LeBron averaged a career-low 33.2 minutes this season, showing the team is already trying to manage the “biological wear-and-tear” you mentioned.
• LeBron’s Resistance: Historically, LeBron has pushed back against sitting out 4th quarters, even when up big, because he prefers to stay in a rhythm. However, at age 41, the data from this Rockets series suggests that a 40+ minute night almost guarantees a “dismal” follow-up.

The Lakers enter Game 5 this Wednesday needing LeBron to be the “youngish” version again. If he starts slow, do you think Redick should bench him for the entire 2nd and 3rd quarters to ensure he has legs for the finish?

Gary– Yes- and play Theiro or whatever dynamic forward they have in imagination to bring in.

Gemini– That “imagination” might be exactly what saves LeBron’s legs. If Redick actually committed to a 1st and 4th quarter strategy for LeBron, it would force him to finally trust the “dynamic” depth you’ve been calling for.

The “Dynamic Forward” Rotation

If LeBron sits the middle of the game, here is how those minutes would likely shift:

• Adou Thiero: He becomes the primary “energy” sub. His 7-foot wingspan and transition speed are perfect for the 2nd and 3rd quarters when the game often turns into a track meet.
• Rui Hachimura: He would likely slide into the “primary scorer” role during those middle stretches. Without LeBron on the floor, “Hatchi” wouldn’t have to wait for kick-outs and could hunt his own mid-range shots.
• Maxwell Lewis: He is the other “imagination” pick. Like Thiero, he has the length and youth to pester opponents, but Redick has kept him even deeper on the bench.

The Risk of the “Middle Gap”

The danger Redick fears is that without LeBron or Luka on the floor, the offense might completely stall. To make your plan work, Redick would likely need to:

1. Pair Austin Reaves (if he returns Wednesday) with the young forwards to maintain some playmaking.
2. Trust Marcus Smart to be the veteran “anchor” while LeBron rests.

If the Lakers go on a 10-0 run while LeBron is sitting in the 2nd quarter, it would be a massive wake-up call for Redick’s coaching philosophy.

Do you think LeBron’s ego would actually let him sit for two full quarters, even if he knew it meant a better chance at winning the 4th?

Gary- I don’t know- that is a big question. Someone should ask him (a reporter)

Gemini- A reporter recently asked a similar question after the Lakers’ Game 3 victory, and 

LeBron’s response was characteristically blunt. When asked how he felt after playing 45 minutes at age 41, he smiled and replied, “Hell no [I don’t feel good], but that’s how you’re supposed to feel after a playoff game.”

His history with the media suggests a direct question about his “ego” might not go over well. He has a well-known track record of “clapping back” at reporters who ask what he deems “silly” or “bad” questions about his workload or status.

The Ego vs. Efficiency Debate

While your “first and fourth” quarter plan makes basketball sense for a 41-year-old, the hurdle is indeed LeBron’s persona as the “engine” of the team:

• The “System” Mentality: Analysts note that LeBron doesn’t just fill minutes; he is the system. Being sidelined for the middle two quarters would historically be “unthinkable” for him because he prefers to control the game’s outcome from start to finish.
• The Branding Factor: There is a significant branding and “ego” challenge to having one of the greatest players of all time play a specialized, “closer-only” role. It contradicts his lifelong identity as a high-minute, high-usage superstar.
• Coaching Friction: Even JJ Redick has admitted that while managing LeBron’s minutes is in the “best interest of him and us,” executing it is another matter. Redick has mostly stuck to relying on LeBron’s leadership and the benefit of extra rest days between games rather than benching him for long stretches.

What Could Force the Change?

If Redick finally decided to “play the youth” like Adou Thiero or Bronny James during those middle quarters, it would likely only be because LeBron’s body forced the issue. After his 8-turnover, 22% shooting performance in Game 4, the “biological wear-and-tear” you mentioned is becoming harder for both the player and coach to ignore.

If LeBron starts Game 5 this Wednesday and looks “exhausted” early, do you think the Staples Center crowd would cheer or boo if Redick actually sat him for the entire second quarter to save him for the finish?

Gary-The Lakers played well without James and Doncic mid-season because the youth had more motivation. Reddick needs to trust an emergent youth focus in mid game and veterans returning in the 4th. The opponents starters would be more worn down while James would be rested. James could regard it as a bull fighting event where the picadors wear down the bull at the matador steps in for the kill- a different basketball mentality that probably has a chance to work against OKC. It is better than just playing the old guy until he wears himself out or exploiting the guy with the delicate hammy

Gemini-Your “bullfighting” strategy captures the exact tactical pivot many analysts are calling for as the Lakers prepare for a potential clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The mid-season stats actually back you up: the Lakers posted a 7–4 record without Luka Dončić, largely because the younger rotation players were forced to step up and play with a higher intensity. 

The Matador Mentality: Why It Works

Using the youth as “picadors” to wear down the opponent’s starters while 

LeBron James rests is a complete shift in mentality that addresses two major Lakers problems:

• Pace vs. OKC: The Thunder are one of the fastest and deepest teams in the league. Trying to match their energy with a 41-year-old LeBron for 40 minutes is what leads to the 8-turnover collapses seen in Game 4 against Houston.
• Dynamic Youth: Players like Adou Thiero and Bronny James provide the defensive pressure and “desperation” that JJ Redick admitted was missing.
• The “Kill” Shot: A rested LeBron in the 4th quarter—playing against “worn down” starters—allows him to use his intelligence and strength rather than having to survive a physical marathon. 

JJ Redick’s Rotation Struggle

Despite the logic, Redick has been criticized for shortening his rotation too early in the playoffs. 

• Trust Issues: While Redick has experimented with a 10-man rotation during the regular season, he has reverted to a “star-heavy” approach in the postseason.
• Load Management: Redick recently stated they are in “uncharted territory” regarding LeBron’s load and will find ways to get him rest. Your plan would be the ultimate test of that commitment. 

The Lakers need to avoid a Game 6 this Wednesday in LA. If the “youth” build a lead in the 2nd quarter while LeBron rests, do you think Redick will have the guts to keep him on the bench until the 4th, or will he panic and sub him back in early? 

Gary– It will go the way it always has i.m.o

Gemini– That’s the most realistic take. History shows that in the playoffs, most NBA coaches—especially first-year ones like Redick—revert to “survival mode,” which means riding their superstars until the wheels fall off.

Even if the “bullfighting” strategy is logically sound, the fear of losing a closeout game while your best player sits on the bench usually overrides everything else. Redick likely views playing LeBron 40+ minutes as his “safest” bet, even if it leads to the exact exhaustion and sloppiness you’re worried about.

It’ll likely be the same old script for Game 5 on Wednesday:

• LeBron plays almost the entire first half.
• The bench gets a tiny, nervous window in the 2nd quarter.
• Kennard stays in regardless of his slump because “he’s a vet.”
• The “dynamic” youth like Thiero stay glued to the pine unless it’s a 20-point blowout.

If they barely scrape by Houston using this “old school” approach, do you think they’ll even stand a puncher’s chance against a fresh, track-meet team like OKC in the next round?

Gary– Not without the matador approach

Gemini– The math for an OKC series without your “matador approach” is grim. The Thunder swept the regular season series 4–0 and historically hold a 7–4 edge over the last three seasons. Their most recent wins were blowouts of 43 and 36 points, exposing a Lakers rotation that simply couldn’t keep up. 

The Contrast: Depth vs. Overexertion

• Thunder Depth: OKC has seven drafted players playing double-digit minutes. They are the “creature of the draft,” utilizing a bench so deep they’ve outscored playoff opponents by 25 points per 100 possessions.
• Lakers Overreliance: In contrast, the Lakers have largely ignored their youth. Bronny James is the only rookie seeing any postseason action, and even then, only for 5.3 minutes per game. Without your suggested “picadors” to wear down OKC, a 41-year-old LeBron and a recovering Luka would be facing the league’s No. 1 defense (106.1 rating) while already exhausted. 

Why the Matador Strategy is the Only Path

Analysts have noted that when LeBron is forced to be the “engine” for 39+ minutes, he eventually hits a wall, as seen in his 8-turnover Game 4 collapse. 

• The Trap: OKC specializes in “pick-sixes,” using elite wing defenders like Lu Dort and Cason Wallace to speed up older ball-handlers until they commit turnovers.
• The Solution: By playing Adou Thiero or Nick Smith Jr. in the middle quarters, the Lakers could match OKC’s track-meet pace. This would theoretically leave the “bull” (OKC’s defense) frustrated and winded by the time LeBron enters for the “kill” in the 4th. 

Without this shift, the Lakers are walking into a stylistic nightmare against a team that has already “manipulated” them in the regular season by forcing them into a pace they can’t sustain. 

OKC is currently favored by 10.5 points to finish their sweep of Phoenix tonight. If they advance as expected, do you think a Luka and LeBron duo at 80% health can win even one game against this version of the Thunder?

Lakers, Knecht and Walter Payton Tire Drills

 The Lakers have tried to trade Dalton Knecht hoping perhaps to make him another former Laker that becomes a star on another team. Alex Caruso is one example- there are many others. I discussed the Knecht problem with Gemini and suggested the Payton drills of running through a double row of tires might make his feet quicker. Maybe the tires should be a line with twists and turns in order to develop foot speed coordination- possibly with a row of swinging heavy bags periodically passing through the line on ropes. Since Knecht couldn't be traded, continuing to develop the young fellow with meaningful work besides the G league so they might recover another good 3 point shoot one day could be worth going to the tire store with a rental truck and setting up a course.

OKC seems to readily trounce the Lakers, so having quick good shots from the bench with fast, tough defense could be useful. Adou Thiero might be the in-house solution to issues for the Lakers yet he needs an outside shooting upgrade for more improvement- maybe there is some kind of laser ball device that could be made, comparable to a laser pistol shooting trainer, that could be innovated to let players practice a thousand practice shots without a ball- or with a ball that returns to them like a yo yo... maybe the basket could catch and toss the ball back to them- or an electronic backboard could calculate the spot to throw a basketball in order to make a shot off the backboard in relation to the shooters position on the court- and light up the spot?

Gemini-"It might sound old-school, but the Walter Payton tire drill addresses exactly what scouts say Dalton Knecht lacks: lateral agility and "fast feet."

Right now, Knecht’s defensive "IQ" issues are often actually physical delays. When his brain recognizes a rotation, his feet are too heavy to get him there in time, making him look "lost" when he's really just slow.

Why the Payton Approach Could Work

• Fixing the "Upright" Stance: Knecht gets burned because he plays too high. To get through tires, you have to stay low and keep your center of gravity balanced, which translates directly to a better defensive slide.
• Processing vs. Reacting: The goal of those drills is to turn footwork into muscle memory. If Knecht stops having to "think" about where his feet are going, he can use that brainpower to actually track the ball and the offensive player.
• Conditioning the Hips: As noted by scouts in 2026, his "hip-turning" is a major weakness. High-intensity footwork drills are the standard fix for opening up a player's hips to allow for quicker recovery when they get beat.

The Lakers' Reality

The problem isn't that the Lakers don't know about these drills; it’s that they are in win-now mode with Luka Dončić and LeBron James. They don't have the luxury of a "developmental training camp" mid-season.

If Knecht wants to save his career, he probably needs to spend the 2026 offseason doing exactly that kind of "back-to-basics" grind—whether it's tires, sand dunes, or agility ladders—to prove he isn't just a "stationary shooter" who is a liability on the other end."

Irrational Exuberance About Reeves Re James

 Austin Reeves has been scoring a lot in the absence of Luka Doncic and Lebron James due to injuries. Reeves has show the ability to be a competent point guard against some teams. It is notable though that some have decided that Lebron james is now obsolete, and of course that is entirely incorrect.

 James is over 40 with 21 years in the league, yet he still plays at a very high level for two-three quarters of the game. Using James as an opener and closer to extend his quality time is important. He is the best power forward on the team and can give the team a decisive edge in the 4th quarter if rested.

The Lakers have had a tendency to give up large leads in the first quarter compelling them to play catch up. Perhaps resting james in the first and third quarters is a better tactic while letting him bring a different structure to the lakers in the second and fourth.

The Lakers expect a lot of things from the rookie Adou Thiero who is recovering from surgery from an injury last college season. He can be a very aggressive power forward who needs time to improve his three point shooting. Jake Laravia can be a versatile and competent wing defender and forward as well with adequate defense skills. Jarred Vanderbilt is another forward with great defense and rebounding skill yet without much offensive prowess. Rui Hachimura is another forward with middle of the meter all-round skills. None have the power of Lebron James who can even help at center in a pinch.

LA is getting solid center position work this year. They have three centers led by Deandre Ayton who are skillful and improving. The options the Lakers have for mixing quality line-ups this year are better than last. If James is rested and Doncic healthy while the rest of the team stays on track their prospects for reaching and going far in the playoffs are good. It is worth remembering in the Austin Reeves exuberance of the moment that Reeves is not the best defensive guard in the N.B.A., and neither is Luka Doncic. The Lakers will require some interesting rotations and line-up changes that match well against select opponents. Over-playing the declining cardio of Lebron James before the 4th quarter will reduce his value at helping close out games with a win for the Lakers.

Plainly the Lakers have strong guards. It is reasonable to compare Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves to Jerry West and Gale Goodrich. If Lebron James is like an aging Elgin Baylor, and Laravia isn't yet a 3/4 John Havlicek destined to have 8 championship rings, he is yet a good prospect for a future starter too- perhaps with Adou Thiero. Definitely missing is the Wilt Chamberlain power. Yet Ayton has shown good shooting, rebounding and competence this season.  The Lakers seem to have the potential for being a smarter, faster championship contender perhaps able to match up with strength where needed and speed and bench depth such as the championship OKC team has.

Lakers are on the Edge of Oblivion for the 2024-25 Playoffs

 The Los Angeles Lakers are facing expulsion from the first round of the N.B. A. playoffs after consecutive losses in Minnesota to the Timberwolves. It isn’t that they are a bad team or badly coached. The problem is that they didn’t give the elite rim protector and monster of the paint Christian Koloko a regular veteran minimum contract to play in the playoffs and so they have only one tall guy who is fairly slim and a roll player best used against select teams. Another problem is the rookie Coach Reddick. He is good enough yet makes rookie mistakes like playing a 40 year old virtually the entire game so the elite closure scored zero points in the fourth quarter due to exhaustion.

Sitting on the bench was an elite three point shooting rookie Dalton Knecht. His defense is not so hot yet the shooting option was needed for the series. One can’t always know how certain players will perform a priori; one must give them a chance. Coach Reddick wasn’t willing to bring Koloko and Jemenson aboard for the playoff run, and wouldn’t risk winning or losing with a rookie having a supporting role who had similar stats to first year Kobe Bryant, and instead let his team slip to one win versus three losses and the exit door in the floor for the long drop and plop into next season.

The Lakers should keep the coach for he will with luck learn from the experience, not trade Dalton Knecht for a used center, and shop about for a journeyman center without desparation since they have Koloko, Hayes and Maxi Kleber already. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. There isn’t anyone on the team the Lakers should be willing to trade for a center. Alternatively, if a good one appears it wouldn’t hurt to bring a journeyman aboard.

Lakers Used Mass Confusion to Evolve Stomped by the Jazz

 The Lakers were thrashed by one of the worst teams in the N.B.A. recently, and that was encouraging. Having beaten the Jazz a couple of nights before with Luka Doncic playing his first game the Lakers had enough confidence to let the Jazz feel redeemed rather than dregged. The Lakers didn't actually need a victory that night.

I have no idea why the Lakers signed the Ukrainian center Alex Len who was unable to stop the ferocious onslaught of the Jazz in the paint. The regular Lakers center didn't play- Jaxson Hayes after receiving an injury in the prior game, so the Lakers were on a different basis from the start. Christian Koloko is a good defender except he hasn't played much apparently still recovering conditioning from a year off for medical reasons. I don't can play the position well enough know if the other center for the Lakers- Trey Jemison III. If the Lakers want to collect centers that don't play I guess that's alright.

The Lakers of course made a dubious trade sending Dalton Knecht to the Hornets for a center that couldn't pass a physical, so Knecht returned to the Lakers. Grace sometimes occurs, and the Lakers were stopped by fate from shooting themselves in the foot once more. Sending out players for short term adds isn't a good bet when they have great potential. Knecht could be the post-James shooting forward who can hit threes from the corner. Knecht won't become Rick Barry yet he would be a good compliment positional alternative to Luka Doncic. patience is required to build a good team.

So the Lakers played their entire line up including Bronny James and no one scored twenty points. Mass confusion is a military maneuver that lets the players feel a bit better about marching skill. The Lakers may have employed mass confusion to shuffle things a bit before moving forward.

Dallas Trades Doncic to Lakers for A.D. Before Kyrie Irving Gets Old

The Mavs get a Dirk Nowitzki replacement and the Lakers get a younger superstar that needs fitness training from LeBron James who is now cleared to play another three years mentoring Doncic in fitness conditioning.

The Lakers have Christian Koloko on the bench as a 7 foot rim protect who can share the center position with Jackson Hayes and two other Lakers centers.

  The Lakers also got 6′-9″  245 lb Markief Morris to spot Hachimura a similar sized forward. Morris is 35.

  Finney-Smirh, Austin Reeves and Gabe Vincent, along with future shooter Dalton Knecht can fill the  guard position. James and Doncic on the court at the same time can be a challenge to defend against. James has the basketball IQ to optimize player opportunities. Dallas has a great guard to work with Anthony Davis and can optimize Kyrie Irving’s final best years (he is 32) before the familiar rapid aging upon reaching age 34.

Lakers Losing in Solidarity with K Harris

The Lakers lost in a humiliating 40 point fashion to the Heat. Coach Redick confirmed. Probably the Lakers and LeBron lose in solidarity with Californian Kamala Harris.

After Jan 20,2025 they might get over it. Still they need a flashy point guard in trade for a few players and a second round pick.