The Lakers’ choice to restrict LeBron James’ minutes firstly of the season didn’t final lengthy, and now we all know why.
In keeping with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, James “bristled on the thought of limiting his minutes”.
His taking part in time was beneath the highlight when he logged simply 29 minutes within the Lakers’ season-opening loss to the Denver Nuggets.
James’ time on the bench that night time included some important fourth-quarter minutes. The Lakers had been outscored 7-0 throughout one fourth-quarter stretch when James was on the bench, as a four-point Denver lead grew to 11 and the sport began to slide away.
After the sport, Ham was requested whether or not he would stick with the minutes restriction.
“We’ll see. In all chance, sure,” Ham mentioned. “It’s simple with him to get caught up within the emotion of the sport and also you are inclined to neglect you need to play these lengthy stretches, however to ensure that him to be as efficient as attainable, we have now to be aware of the minute output and the way lengthy his stretches are.”
Within the Lakers’ subsequent recreation, James performed 35 minutes, together with the entire fourth quarter in a 100-95 win over the Phoenix Suns. It was clear James had obtained his manner, and it hadn’t taken lengthy in any respect.
After the sport, James mentioned taking part in the additional minutes was an “simple” name to make.
Ham has since been fired by the Lakers. He was relieved of his duties simply 4 days after the Lakers had been eradicated by the Nuggets within the first spherical of the playoffs.
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