James entered Wednesday’s game shooting a career-high 81% at the rim. He had a career high (79%) in rim shooting with Miami in 2013-14.
Los Angeles— In his 21st NBA season, LeBron James has shown little sign of slowing down.
The Lakers’ star forward is improving in several areas.
Cleaning The Glass, a website and statistical database that excludes garbage time, reported that James entered Wednesday’s home game against the Sacramento Kings shooting a career-high 81% (58 for 72) at the rim (within four feet of the goal).
His career high for rim shooting in a full season (79%) came in 2013-14, his last of four Miami Heat seasons.
“It’s just a real salute to how he takes care of himself, to keeping himself in condition to take the amount of physical punishment he takes on his way to the rim,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said pregame. “The spacing we’re doing [with] five out—there’s a lot of driving lanes—allows him to play downhill.”
Ham said opponents must watch D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, and Anthony Davis even when James has the ball.
“People have to take account for those guys, whether or not they have the ball,” Ham said. “That gives space. When he’s doing his thing and Austin [Reaves] is on the wing and that defender is shifted to guard both – help and account for his own man – we have weapons that cause indecision and opportunity. Again, he takes care of himself, moves efficiently, and attacks efficiently, which helps him have a high success rate.”
After missing Sunday’s win against Portland due to a left calf contusion, James, 38, returned for the second night of a back-to-back for the second time this season.
After considering the back-to-backs, Ham stated James’ availability is still being discussed.
“We try not to look too far out,” Ham said. “But just handle things day by day according to our workload, how the games are grouped, and what he feels first.”
REDDISH STEPPING UP
After replacing Austin Reaves, who has been deployed as a sixth-man, Reddish started for the fourth straight game on Wednesday.
Over the past three games, Reddish has averaged 15 points, 3.7 rebounds, and two steals in 30.1 minutes.
Ham said he and the coaching staff are always talking to Reddish, a former lottery pick who joined the Lakers as a free agent in the winter, about his adjustment.
“The foundation of those discussions are just him keeping it simple,” Ham said. “Not overthinking. Going out and playing hard every possession. Keep it easy and have fun out there.”