The NBA Netflix series Starting 5 debuted this week, and viewers were given a taste of LeBron James’ 2023-24 season. The show displayed the superstar’s misalignment on one facet of the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff’s plan for him. No, he was not down for it at all.
Starting 5 NBA Series Sheds Light on Superstars Coaching Frustrations
Darvin Ham’s Game Plan Not Well Received
Netflix dropped the NBA’s much-anticipated series this week, and what a behind-the-scenes gem it has proved to be. James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Domantas Sabonis are the featured starting five for the 10-episode series produced by Uninterrupted.
Right from the opening episode, the light shone on James from a family and on-court viewpoint. However, one early storyline that will draw attention is the reaction surrounding former Lakers head coach Darvin Ham‘s minutes restriction. The plan for James was implemented at the start of last season. The reactions coming from James himself were not muted or pressed down in any way, as the King let a couple of his assistant coaches (Chris Jent, Phil Handy, Jordan Ott) know his displeasure. At the 25:35 mark in episode one, he can be seen engaging in a gameplan of sorts during a timeout, right before he speaks his mind on his minutes.
“I know you got me on f****** old man time percentages and s***,” James can be seen telling Lakers assistant coaches during a timeout. “Play eight minutes and s***. Two shots in eight minutes, just getting cardio. I hate this s*** already, this s***’s garbage.”
So, it’s safe to say James wasn’t down for this scheme.
A Short-Lived Game Plan
James’ minutes’ restriction approach disappeared quickly in 2023-24. He played 35.3 MPG, which almost mirrored his average the season prior. It’s interesting to imagine placing this type of regulation on a player who knows his body better than anyone else. James is keenly aware that he’s in great shape. He even alluded to that during the Denver Nuggets game while having a sideline chit-chat with Chris Jent.
Of course, James is right. During an interview portion of the episode, he spoke about how he readies himself and why he disagreed with Ham’s approach.
“The minutes restriction it’s something that I don’t agree with, I’ve never agreed with it,” James said in the documentary. “I prepare my body physically and mentally prepare my mind for battle. I’ve had conversations and talks and battles with my coaches. I get it, but I also understand me. And I get me, and there’s nobody that gets me more than me.”
How Will Coach Redick Handle LeBron James’ Minutes?
JJ Redick has had many opportunities to speak about James in press conferences and reporter sessions. Yet, he hasn’t indicated that he will have any restrictions this year. Of course, Redick is smart enough to know that the Lakers are better served if James is fresh and healthy if they make the playoffs.
Could we see a limited version of load management for James? Probably not. However, it’s worth saying that James and Redick already have a vastly different relationship than James had with Ham. Redick may have more pull if he asked James to take it easy now and then.
