Picture Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

“I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us” – Redick question on LeBron’ 82-game goal amid shooting slump

LeBron may see the start of his decline, and Redick can opt for a reasonable reduction in his time.

Picture Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

LeBron James walked out of Target Center in Minneapolis with utter disappointment as the Lakers faced an embarrassing 29-minute blowout loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 39-year-old guard finished the game with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 turnovers.

Redick advised LeBron James to revisit his goal of 82 games

The veteran guard tied a season-low of 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field. Lakers head coach JJ Redick delivered a verdict after the loss against Minnesota and questioned LeBron’s goal of playing in every game this season.

New story: LeBron opened up his 22nd season saying he planned to play in all 82 games. With LeBron in the middle of a brutal shooting slump, JJ Redick said that plan may be revisited. “I don't know that's in the best interest of him and us” https://t.co/bJPUvdS63g
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 3, 2024

“I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that, but if he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play,” Redick speaks after a 109-80 loss on Monday. “But we obviously want to manage that as best we can.”

“That’s a goal, but we’ll see,” LeBron James said about making a start in 82 regular season games. “It’s something I ain’t discussing right now.”

Anthony Davis has stepped up for the Lakers, and LeBron has also guided him to take the reins. The Lakers are struggling in the three-point shooting all season and are off to a 12-9 start. Two games in as many nights could be a concern, but the Lakers have lost the rhythm.

Also Read: How many points did LeBron James score tonight? Full Stats

Rough patch or workload management? A beginning of LeBron’s decline

LeBron James is averaging 22.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game in 21 appearances for the Lakers in NBA 2024-25. He posted a career-high 41% three-point shooting last season, but the story is different under JJ Redick. LeBron has dropped to 35.7% in 3-point shooting and Monday night was a glimpse of his rough patch.

LeBron James is 0/19 from three over the last 4 games. pic.twitter.com/1gOYp9rX7R
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 3, 2024

LeBron James made 43% of his 3-point attempts in his first 15 games. However, the veteran guard hasn’t made a single trey in the last four games while attempting 19 shots from beyond the arc. This is the worst he has shot from 3 since he missed 24 straight from December 26, 2003, to January 13, 2004, as per ESPN.

If we keep adding more numbers, LeBron shot 25% from the field, which is his sixth straight game shooting below 45%. The Lakers scored the lowest number in the last 7 years, as the previous low was 73 against the Mavericks in 2017.

Isn’t it a concern, or is it just a fatigue issue? Well, LeBron may see the start of his decline, and Redick can opt for a reasonable reduction in his time. 22nd season and the 40th birthday is lineup, Lakers will play only two games in ten days to improve their issues and workload management.

Anthony Davis

JJ Redick

LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers

NBA 2024-25

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.