Lakers News: More Evidence Emerges That LeBron James Is A Covert Player-Coach

Should he be in line for Darvin Ham's job in a few years?

Another fascinating insight into just how much of a player-coach Los Angeles Lakers All-Star small forward LeBron James is on the floor was unveiled recently during a fascinating conversation with Chris Haynes of Turner Sports.

Speaking after LA's 117-111 Game 4 overtime defeat of the Memphis Grizzlies that put the Lakers up 3-1 in their best-of-seven first round series, James once again hinted at just how much of an impact he has as something of a cover player-coach, in the mold of a Chris Paul.

"I want everybody to just play free... Let me worry about the X's & O's" @KingJames speaks with @ChrisBHaynes after Lakers Game 4 win pic.twitter.com/tfwU5yYtQY

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 25, 2023

"We got a lot of young guys in the postseason, I understand that. So it's my job to make sure that they stay even-keeled and I understand that. One game is not going to define the whole series, but we have to be better. And I want everybody to be comfortable when we go out on the floor and just play free," James said. "Let me worry about the X's and O's and the tactical things and all the other stuff. I can do that. I have the ability to do that and still play."

Former Lakers championship-winning center JaVale McGee, now with the Dallas Mavericks, had previously indicated that James functioned as a player-coach on the floor during an in-game conversation.

Would James ever consider an actual head coaching job? Or perhaps a legitimate player-coach job a la Bill Russell during the end of his Boston Celtics tenure in the 1960s? I think he appreciates having someone else take on more of those duties, but likes having significant input, so he would at least wait until his official retirement as a player. He has spoken before about being interested in more of an ownership role a la Michael Jordan with the Charlotte Hornets, and that kind of hands-off gig might be more appetizing for someone with such a diverse array of diverse business interests off the floor.

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