LeBron James Downgraded to Questionable Vs. Hawks. Better That He Sits? (For a While?)

The Lakers have some serious problems right now. LeBron James, rather uncharacteristically, is one of them. His play over the last 10 days or so has not been good. Not in a "by LeBron James standards" kind of way, either. The shot has been off, the turnovers are up, the defense has been... lacking. But to this point, at least, LeBron's health hasn't been an issue. His age? His energy? Yes to both. But LeBron hasn't been on the injury report. That changes tonight as the Lakers take on the Hawks in Atlanta. James is on the injury report, downgraded to questionable with foot/ankle issues. This isn't a new problem, and ironically it comes after LeBron had one of his better offensive games in a while against Miami on Wednesday. But it's also in the wake of both James and JJ Redick publicly seeming to reconsider LeBron's stated goal of playing in all 82 regular season games. Could this be the beginning of a shift in how the Lakers approach LeBron's usage? Were James to miss tonight's game, and follow that up with some additional rest on Sunday at home against Portland, he'd be able to get a level of rest over the next two weeks almost unheard of in the NBA. After they see the Blazers, the Lakers don't play again until December 13 against Minnesota. Following that with a game on the 15th vs. Memphis, the Lakers are then off until visiting Sacramento on the 19th. So if some version of getting rest for James ahead of the break, whether both games or just one, isn't the plan, should it be? The Lakers have to figure out what LeBron's capabilities are, and how they can be maximized. Because while they ought to be built with enough depth to support him through the long regular season so that he can be LeBron down the stretch, they aren't. The LeBron of the last couple of weeks isn't going to be nearly good enough for the Lakers to make any noise, even if Austin Reaves (out again tonight) comes back soon. Especially while Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood are out. (And two of the three likely out a while.) Are there combinations the Lakers could deploy to fix this? Would removing LeBron for a couple days break the cycle the Lakers seem to be in right now where James has a much larger usage within the offense than he did earlier in the year? These next two weeks, whether you're talking about the games they have to play or the rest they need to find or the adjustments they need to make, will potentially define the remainder of the season. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: LeBron downgraded to questionable tonight in Atlanta. SEGMENT 2: Should the Lakers sit LeBron tonight? Maybe even Sunday? SEGMENT 3: How did the Lakers get here, and how do they find their way out. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com . Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $50 instantly when you play $5! You don't even need to win to receive the $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game. Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold . Chime Make your fall finances a little greener by working towards your financial goals with Chime. Open your account in 2 minutes at chime.com/NBA . Chime. Feels like progress. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM t o get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.