The Los Angeles Lakers will begin the regular season without LeBron James, who will be sidelined for at least the first two weeks of the season with a sciatic injury. The news might make some Purple and Gold fans anxious. However, former Lakers star Robert Horry thinks it could be a blessing in disguise.
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As important as the now 40-year-old icon is to the team, the future of the Lakers lies in its youth. Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura could benefit from James’ absence. So can Marcus Smart and DeAndre Ayton, the squad’s newest members.
This point was made by Horry while explaining how the Lakers can use this opportunity to find balance without James on the court. That would help the side in the long run.
“It’s gonna cause some people to get some time. Even though Smart is not really one hundred yet. We can see what Ayton can do, if he can really be a contributor on the offensive end,” said Horry on the latest edition of his Big Shot Bob podcast.
“You think about AR and Luka, how they kind of really the same player. How they can mix together and complement one another,” added the seven-time NBA champion.
James only has a handful of years left. Also, there is no indicator of whether he will recover quickly from this current injury. This team has to learn to win without the four-time NBA champ.
This absence, however, will also act as an indicator of what James can bring to the team once he is healthy. At least, that’s what Horry thinks.
“This also is a good way for LeBron to sit and observe,” the former San Antonio Spur stated. “I think LeBron is a smart enough player to say, ‘If they’re winning, I want to keep this ship going in the right direction. Keep it afloat. What do I need to bring to this to make it better?'”
Another strong point that Big Shot Rob makes is that LeBron can potentially scheme a plan that will further increase his longevity, especially if Luka can carry the Purple and Gold to success.
“Also, if you look at the long run of it, it’s a lot less taxing on LeBron’s body. So when we get down the stretch, he probably has a lot left in the gas tank,” added Horry.
So yes, it might sting a little to start the season without LeBron. But maybe that’s exactly what this team needs. The Lakers finally have a chance to see what their younger core can do without leaning on The King every night, and that could pay off big later on.
If Reaves, Luka, and Hachimura step up, and Smart and Ayton find their rhythm, LA could be a much more balanced team by the time LeBron’s back. And knowing him, he’ll return with fresh legs, a fresh perspective, and a plan to make this team even better.
And lord knows they’ll need it. The West is shaping up to be a shootout.
A Kevin Durant-led Rockets team, a rebuilt Clippers squad, and the always consistent Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets. That’s not even counting the defending champions, the OKC Thunder. If the Lakers want to survive, they need to figure it out now.
