By the time they reach the age of 38, many NBA players have turned their attention to coaching in some form or fashion.
So, seemingly, has Lakers forward LeBron James. He just doesn’t need to roam the sideline in a quarter zip to do it.
During the final of the NBA’s in-season tournament Saturday evening between Los Angeles and the Pacers, James showed off his coaching chops while mic’d up for ABC. The all-time scoring leader was captured giving helpful tips to forward Anthony Davis for how best to attack Indiana center Myles Turner.
“He’s a shot-blocker, so you wanna try to create space when you go out here,” James said. “Take one more dribble. Go to his chest first. That alleviates his height.”
Listen in to LeBron working with AD from the bench 🎙️
— NBA (@NBA) December 10, 2023
Leadership 💯
🏆 NBA In-Season Tournament Championship on ABC pic.twitter.com/lTNfWFeftW
The broadcast then cut to Davis doing almost exactly as James prescribed.
“Well, I think AD listens to LeBron,” color commentator and former coach Doc Rivers deadpanned.
James has long been revered across the league for his basketball IQ as much as his playing acumen.
“There’s a lot of people in the league with LeBron’s body,” Rivers, then the coach of the Clippers, told SI in March 2020. “There’s no one in the league with his brain.”
