Lakers News: Darvin Ham Confirms LeBron James Expected to See Decreased Workload This Season

This could dramatically alter the Lakers season.

After a 119-107 season-opening loss to the reigning champion Nuggets, where Denver seemed in control all game, it's important to look at what went wrong for the Lakers, specifically when it came to superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis' production.

LeBron played just 29 minutes, which was good for fifth on the team and least of the starters, which wasn't something that we're used to seeing. That said, it looks like it may be a trend.

Darvin Ham on if LeBron James’ 29 minutes will be a trend this season: “We’ll see. In all likelihood, yes.”

Ham added that it could build from that number depending on how James feels and what the team’s training staff decides.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 25, 2023

Ham's comment is interesting as it suggests that the Lakers will continue to limit LeBron's minutes, presumably to keep him warm for a playoff run at season's end.

In the 29 minutes he played, James put up 21/8/5, which is a productive stat line, and posted +7 plus-minus, which suggests that the team was 7 points better when he was on the floor. 

To that end, the King undoubtedly seems healthy and impactful in year 21, but may have to be those things in limited minutes. 

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It's easy to jump to the conclusion that the Lakers will struggle with a minutes-restricted James, but given the matchup against Denver, the odds were stacked against them in the first place, and they should fare better in future contests. 

Davis was great offensively in the first half, putting up 17 points, but failed to score at any other point throughout the second half of the game. That is inexcusable, and if it continues, it will curtail the Lakers odds of making the playoffs in the first place, let alone make a deep run, especially if LeBron stays on a minutes restriction. 

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