LOS ANGELES – With the Los Angeles Lakers making the playoffs outright and clinching the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, talk has begun to sprout up about the Lakers’ possible championship chances. One reason why the Lakers are being mentioned such talks is because of their defense. And it’s been the oldest player in the league, LeBron James, who has taken the lead on the defensive end for the Lakers, according to head coach JJ Redick.
Following the team’s 140-109 win against the Houston Rockets in their final home game of the regular season, JJ Redick likened LeBron James’ role in the Lakers’ defense to a quarterback.
“Quarterback is an offensive position, but he’s the quarterback of our defense,” Redick said. “And a lot of that is his voice, his IQ.”
Redick brought up a play during the Rockets game where Austin Reaves was switched off on one of Houston’s bigs. Rui Hachimura ended up getting a deflection on the play, but Redick acknowledged how James immediately rushed over and covered for Reaves.
Reaves, who has played with James his whole career thus far, has also noticed the communication and energy that James has brought on the defensive end this season.
