The Los Angeles Lakers returned to the floor in Orlando with an exhibition against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, and LeBron James seemed to be in midseason form.
James played just 15 minutes, but he controlled nearly every aspect of the game, setting the tone with his pace and energy.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said he was most impressed with James' level of communication on the defensive end of the floor.
Vogel on what stood out about LeBron’s dominant 15 minutes vs. Dallas: "More than anything how vocal he is on the defensive end of the floor. We’re trying to get new guys up to speed with how we do things, strengthen the habits that work for us…
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 25, 2020
… during the regular season, and he’s out there barking out coverages and getting people in the right spot and trying to take a charge at one point, just leading us on that end of the floor.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 25, 2020
LeBron's defense has come under fire in recent years. At times, it has seemed James was mailing it in because of the offensive burden he carried each game.
But with Anthony Davis on the roster and the Lakers surrounding LeBron with some shooters, he is more engaged on both ends.
Indeed, opponents have less offensive success when James is on the floor. Los Angeles' defensive rating is 104.8 when LeBron is on the court, compared to 109.8 when he is off the floor, per Basketball Reference. James has been nearly as impactful on a per possession basis on defense as he has orchestrating the offense.
That is pretty telling, considering LeBron is having a tremendous offensive season.
James enters the restart leading the NBA in assists with 10.6 dimes per game. He is also L.A.'s second-leading scorer, averaging 25.7 points on close to 50 percent shooting from the field.
But LeBron knows as well as anyone L.A.'s strength lies mostly in its ability to harass opponents on the defensive end, especially with Davis, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard lurking around the rim.
Vogel has played an instrumental role in setting a defensive tone, as well. The former Pacers head coach established dominant defenses in Indiana, and has done an exceptional job with the Lakers' personnel this season.
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