ATLANTA — The play introduced the complete Lakers bench to its toes. Austin Reaves’ sky-high lob cross and Bronny James’ two-handed dunk introduced a roar from the group.
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 can be an extended NBA journey.
“It was just a regular moment for me,” James mentioned, not even having to hide a smile after the Lakers’ shootaround Saturday, nearly every week after the spotlight. “… I want to continue to do that, but I just have to keep giving my all, keep playing hard, running in transition and getting stops on the defensive end for my team.”
James is making an attempt to make his contributions, each large and small, common occurrences for the shorthanded Lakers as they proceed to dig into their bench.
Reaves will miss his third consecutive recreation Saturday because the Lakers start a five-game highway 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 “really low,” and the crew continues to carry him out as a precaution. Reaves is with the crew on the highway — and has a golf outing deliberate with James and Redick for an upcoming off day — and will return in the course of 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 night time in opposition to the Path Blazers whereas additionally scoring 5 factors because the Lakers received with out Reaves, LeBron James or Luka Doncic.
“Ready to take advantage of the times that I get when our guys are out,” James mentioned. “I’m going to stay aggressive.”
Every look is a step because the 21-year-old fights to change into an everyday rotation participant. To get there, Redick mentioned the previous USC guard wants to start out by pushing himself bodily, being a disruptive defender and creating as a assured spot-up shooter.
James mentioned his principal focus is on “going out until I’m dead tired.” He earned Redick’s approval for taking part in onerous.
When James first joined the Lakers final 12 months as their second-round decide, Redick recalled the rookie would obtain a cross throughout pickup video games, pause, dribble or try pointless strikes. It was “the opposite of point-five mentality,” Redick mentioned, referencing the concept gamers ought to resolve to shoot, dribble or cross inside 0.5 seconds of receiving the ball.
“He’s now developed where he’s got a great point-five mentality,” Redick mentioned earlier than the Lakers performed Portland Nov. 3. “He’s catch-and-shoot ready at all times.”
Lakers guard Bronny James throws down a two-handed dunk in opposition to the Warmth final Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Occasions)
James made a important 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 growth coach Ty Abbott for serving to him get snug 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 tasks throughout G League assignments this season, Redick mentioned, giving James probabilities to develop his off-ball recreation.
That’s provided that James, who’s on a typical contract, ever goes to South Bay. The injured Lakers may 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 means of contact or one-on-one drills; he was projected to be out for 2 to 4 weeks, however Redick estimated he can be out for nearer to 3, which might put him on observe to return after the five-game journey wraps in Milwaukee on Nov. 15.
LeBron James can 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 part of the crew on the highway for the beginning of the journey that subsequent winds by means of Charlotte, Oklahoma Metropolis, New Orleans and Milwaukee.
South Bay roster set
The Lakers’ G League crew set its roster Saturday for opening night time, 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.
