For the third time in a row, the Lakers played with LeBron James at the position of “pivot” on a few sequences, and Frank Vogel announced that this choice should continue. Whether DeAndre Jordan or Dwight Howard is titular, it is now the “King” who will be the first double in position 5.
“We played with a different ‘second unit’ tonight” underlined the manager after the victory against Detroit. “We used the ‘second unit’ that had won in Indiana with LeBron and Melo on positions 4 and 5. Let’s call it a five without a pivot. There is then more space for Russell. LeBron also has more room to open up to the circle, and it’s more efficient. In defense, we can change more on the screens on the side of the ball. I think this is something that we will see more and more, and which will be part of the sequel for our team. “
But against the Pacers, Anthony Davis was sick, and the Lakers got away with a five consisting of Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Wayne Ellington, Malik Monk and LeBron James. Against Detroit, Talen Horton-Tucker took Ellington’s place in this “five of the death”, and it was Dwight Howard who paid the price.
“Dwight did not play tonight, and we made the choice to do without one of our two pivots by opting for a second smaller five” pursue Frank Vogel. “It won’t always be a DJ playing. Sometimes it will be Dwight. We will see Dwight as the holder, and DJ will become the 3rd pivot. We will continue to assess all of this. “
“I love finding solutions so that we can improve”
And what does LeBron James think, who discovers a new role at almost 37 years old?
“When I play pivot in defense, I’m able to basically throw all the assists before the opponents even act. This puts my four other guys in position, and like that, we are not overwhelmed ” he explained after the victory against the Pacers. “We try to communicate during the entire possession. I alert my guys about screens, cuts, and whatever goes behind them. This is what allows you to have a few stops. “
One more challenge: “I put it at the top of all the challenges I have had to overcome in my career, because it allows me to come out the best of myself and I love it. I love finding solutions so that we can improve. You know, when you get out of trouble and face difficulties, it’s more enjoyable in the end. “
| LeBron James | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Tirs | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2003-04 | CLE | 79 | 40 | 41.7 | 29.0 | 75.4 | 1.3 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 20.9 |
| 2004-05 | CLE | 80 | 42 | 47.2 | 35.1 | 75.0 | 1.4 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 7.2 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 27.2 |
| 2005-06 | CLE | 79 | 43 | 48.0 | 33.5 | 73.8 | 1.0 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 31.4 |
| 2006-07 | CLE | 78 | 41 | 47.6 | 31.9 | 69.8 | 1.1 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 27.3 |
| 2007-08 | CLE | 75 | 40 | 48.4 | 31.5 | 71.2 | 1.8 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 30.0 |
| 2008-09 ★ | CLE | 81 | 38 | 48.9 | 34.4 | 78.0 | 1.3 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 28.4 |
| 2009-10 ★ | CLE | 76 | 39 | 50.3 | 33.3 | 76.7 | 0.9 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 29.7 |
| 2010-11 | MY | 79 | 39 | 51.1 | 33.0 | 75.9 | 1.0 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 26.7 |
| 2011-12 ★ | MY | 62 | 38 | 53.1 | 36.2 | 77.1 | 1.5 | 6.4 | 7.9 | 6.2 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 27.2 |
| 2012-13 ★ | MY | 76 | 38 | 56.5 | 40.6 | 75.3 | 1.3 | 6.8 | 8.0 | 7.3 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 26.8 |
| 2013-14 | MY | 77 | 38 | 56.7 | 37.9 | 75.0 | 1.1 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 27.1 |
| 2014-15 | CLE | 69 | 36 | 48.8 | 35.4 | 71.0 | 0.7 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 25.3 |
| 2015-16 | CLE | 76 | 36 | 52.0 | 30.9 | 73.1 | 1.5 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 25.3 |
| 2016-17 | CLE | 74 | 38 | 54.8 | 36.3 | 67.4 | 1.3 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 4.1 | 0.6 | 26.4 |
| 2017-18 | CLE | 82 | 37 | 54.2 | 36.7 | 73.1 | 1.2 | 7.5 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 27.5 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 55 | 35 | 51.0 | 33.9 | 66.5 | 1.0 | 7.4 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 27.4 |
| 2019-20 | LAL | 67 | 35 | 49.3 | 34.8 | 69.3 | 1.0 | 6.9 | 7.8 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 0.5 | 25.3 |
| 2020-21 | LAL | 45 | 33 | 51.3 | 36.5 | 69.8 | 0.6 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 25.0 |
| 2021-22 | LAL | 10 | 37 | 47.2 | 33.3 | 77.8 | 0.5 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 25.1 |
| Total | 1320 | 38 | 50.4 | 34.5 | 73.4 | 1.2 | 6.3 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 27.0 | |
