LOS ANGELES – With a week and a half from the All-Star Game to rest his 36-year-old legs, LeBron James said he is ready for the home game as the Los Angeles Lakers try to defend their title.
“It’s time,” James told reporters on Thursday in a video conference before the Lakers’ first practice session since the break was over. “It’s time to prepare and make that change, that last round going into the postseason … I’m not here to look ahead and say, ‘Okay, let’s take this off, let’s take that off . ‘
The 18-year-old veteran missed the Lakers’ last game before half time, a 123-120 defeat to the Sacramento Kings on the second night of a straight set, to rest his left ankle. It was the only game James has missed this season, averaging 25.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists to put his name in the MVP call.
Between missing the Kings game and the hiatus, James had 10 days off for Friday’s game at home against the Indiana Pacers, except for the 13 minutes he played in the All-Star Game before dropping out of the second half.
“I use the first half of the season as gear 1, 2 and 3, and then the second half as more like 4, 5, 6, and when the playoffs start you’re in 7.” James said. “And that’s the way I’ve always adapted in the later years of my career, really only going higher, higher and higher as the months go by as the games progress to the playoffs.”
However, two other Lakers starters, Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol, remain neutral.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said Davis, who has been sidelined with tendinosis and a tense right calf since Feb. 14, would not play against the Pacers, but would instead be reassessed by team doctors Friday night.
Davis lifted weights at the Lakers’ exercise facility on Thursday, but did not participate in group training with the team, Vogel said.
Lakers are 3-7 since Davis left, including a loss to Denver on February 14 when Davis stopped playing in the second half.
Gasol will miss his third game in a row due to the competition’s health and safety protocols. Vogel said the Lakers “don’t really have a timeline” for when the Catalan might return.
Third-year forward Kostas Antetokounmpo will also play against the Pacers due to health and safety protocols, according to the team.
With Gasol absent, the Lakers will hire center Damian Jones, who signed a second 10-day contract on Thursday. Jones combined 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocks in 30 minutes in three appearances before half time.
“I want to see more of what he’s done,” Vogel said of Jones. ‘He played well for us. He plays the part of a threat. Don’t try to play offensive outside that lane. ‘
“ To be a blocker and a rebounder and a threat offensive and defensive, being able to take on the center, be a shot blocker, play on our pick and roll cover and of course hit the ball. bounce and match the more centers Great from other teams is what we asked him last week. I think he did well, and we will continue to watch him for the next 10 days. “