‘Smart’ Move is to Rest LeBron James, Per NBA Expert

The Los Angeles Lakers lost too many games in the regular season. Players lost games to weaker opponents and fans got a bit frustrated. Some of them heckled Lakers players and Russell Westbrook is their favorite target. Heckling fans chant “Westbrick” every time he makes a “mistake”. Head coach Frank Vogel tried different scenarios but things didn’t change. Players were plagued with injuries, too. Anthony Davis missed a big chunk of the regular season and he is still out. Injuries, COVID, and inconsistency plagued the team. According to Bill Simmons, the Lakers should rest LeBron James.

The four-time NBA champion missed time, too. He is still dealing with a nagging knee injury, but tries really hard to help his team win. Is it enough? Well, Lakers players should try more to make an impact.

Lakers should rest LeBron James, but he has different plans

If you ask Simmons, he will say that resting LeBron could be of great help for the team. He said that the front office should conserve LeBron’s energy at the end of the season.

“If they [the Lakers] were smart, they would rest him, but I’m not sure…kind of spot him…not play him in back-to-backs, things like that. I don’t know if he’s going to do that.”

The Lakers need every bit of LeBron’s dominance. He tries to carry the team on his back. LeBron has to play more time than usual because Davis is out. In 12 games, he is averaging 37.9 minutes per game. Yes, LeBron can handle the pressure and he is great in clutch moments, but he needs rest.

LeBron has a sore knee but he can help the team finish the season with more wins. This determination has helped LeBron hit milestones in his career. In the loss got the Washington Wizards, LeBron passed Karl Malone on the all-time career points. Simmons is convinced that LeBron is going after stats.

“I think he wants to put up stats. I think he wants to win the scoring title. If I were him, I would want to too. He’s 37, that would be amazing.”