ATLANTA — The play introduced all the Lakers bench to its ft. Austin Reaves’ sky-high lob move and Bronny James’ two-handed dunk introduced a roar from the gang.
The emphatic dunk in opposition to Miami was James’ first factors of the season, however he noticed them as simply two extra in what he hopes might be a protracted NBA journey.
“It was only a common second for me,” James mentioned, not even having to hide a smile after the Lakers’ shootaround Saturday, nearly per week after the spotlight. “… I need to proceed to do this, however I simply must hold giving my all, hold enjoying onerous, working in transition and getting stops on the defensive finish for my staff.”
James is making an attempt to make his contributions, each huge and small, common occurrences for the shorthanded Lakers as they proceed to dig into their bench.
Reaves will miss his third consecutive sport Saturday because the Lakers start a five-game street journey in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks. Imaging revealed a light pressure in Reaves’ proper groin, coach JJ Redick mentioned Saturday, however the guard’s ache is “actually low,” and the staff continues to carry him out as a precaution. Reaves is with the staff on the street — and has a golf outing deliberate with James and Redick for an upcoming off day — and will return throughout the journey.
James has performed in every of the final three video games with Reaves out, together with 18 and 19 minutes in wins over Miami and Portland, respectively. He was trusted in strain fourth-quarter conditions in each victories and completed with three steals in opposition to the Warmth. He delivered six assists with no turnovers the next evening in opposition to the Path Blazers whereas additionally scoring 5 factors because the Lakers gained with out Reaves, LeBron James or Luka Doncic.
“Able to reap the benefits of the instances that I get when our guys are out,” James mentioned. “I’m going to remain aggressive.”
Every look is a step because the 21-year-old fights to turn into an everyday rotation participant. To get there, Redick mentioned the previous USC guard wants to begin by pushing himself bodily, being a disruptive defender and creating as a assured spot-up shooter.
James mentioned his fundamental focus is on “going out till I’m useless drained.” He earned Redick’s approval for enjoying onerous.
When James first joined the Lakers final 12 months as their second-round choose, Redick recalled the rookie would obtain a move throughout pickup video games, pause, dribble or try pointless strikes. It was “the alternative of point-five mentality,” Redick mentioned, referencing the concept that gamers ought to determine to shoot, dribble or move inside 0.5 seconds of receiving the ball.
“He’s now developed the place he’s acquired an awesome point-five mentality,” Redick mentioned earlier than the Lakers performed Portland Nov. 3. “He’s catch-and-shoot prepared always.”
Lakers guard Bronny James throws down a two-handed dunk in opposition to the Warmth final Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Instances)
James made a essential three within the fourth quarter in opposition to Portland to place the Lakers up by 5. He credited his time with the South Bay Lakers and dealing with participant improvement coach Ty Abbott for serving to him get comfy with split-second choices.
With fellow level guard Nick Smith Jr. on a two-way contract, it’s probably that Smith will deal with extra on-ball duties throughout G League assignments this season, Redick mentioned, giving James probabilities to develop his off-ball sport.
That’s provided that James, who’s on an ordinary contract, ever goes to South Bay. The injured Lakers would possibly want him extra on their bench.
Guard Gabe Vincent has missed seven video games due to a sprained ankle, however is progressing throughout on-court work with assistant coach Lindsey Harding. Vincent has not labored by contact or one-on-one drills; he was projected to be out for 2 to 4 weeks, however Redick estimated he might be out for nearer to a few, which may put him on monitor to return after the five-game journey wraps in Milwaukee on Nov. 15.
LeBron James might be reevaluated in a single to 2 weeks after progressing to contact exercise, starting with one-on-one work with coaches. The 40-year-old didn’t be a part of the staff on the street for the beginning of the journey that subsequent winds by Charlotte, Oklahoma Metropolis, New Orleans and Milwaukee.
South Bay roster set
The Lakers’ G League staff set its roster Saturday for opening evening, that includes two-way gamers Smith, who scored 25 factors within the victory over the Path Blazers final week, Christian Koloko and Chris Mañon. Additionally on the squad are Jace Carter, Jarron Cumberland, RJ Davis, Luke Goode, Tevian Jones, Kylor Kelley, Arthur Kaluma, Augustas Marčiulionis, Drew Timme and Anton Watson.