While he hasn’t played for the Los Angeles Lakers since suffering a calf injury in a game against the Atlanta Hawks last month, LeBron James remains a visible presence on the team’s bench. Along with All-Star big man Anthony Davis, who is also out due to injury, James has joined the team on their seven-game road trip and can often be seen celebrating on the bench whenever their teammates score. But more than his animated celebrations, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said that James’ energy has rubbed on his teammates.
Vogel even joked that the four-time champion is able to help him in one thing in particular due to his presence on the sidelines.
Via Sanjesh Singh of Lakers Nation:
“He’s got a great impact on our group, on our guys’ energy and things we’re doing each day,” Vogel said, per LakersNation.com “Good to have him arguing with the refs with me. An extra added weapon in these situations (laughs). It’s just great to have him around.”
LeBron James surely showed that an injury isn't going to stop him from getting his team a boost, even if he's not donning the Purple and Gold threads.
Before going down with the injury, LeBron James’ stats reflected 25.4 points, 7.9 rebounds. 7.9 assists, and a steal while shooting 51.3% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. James, Davis, and the rest of their teammates on the bench had plenty of reasons to celebrate on Saturday night, as the short-handed Lakers soundly beat the Brooklyn Nets, 126-101, in one of their best wins of the season.
Los Angeles wraps up its road trip with games against the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets, where Vogel hopes that James can continue to help his teammates even when he’s wearing street clothes while on the sidelines.
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