The Los Angeles Lakers have experienced a significant resurgence, ascending to the second seed in the Western Conference standings. This turnaround is largely attributed to the acquisition of Luka Doncic, whose integration into the team has revitalized their performance. However, despite this upswing, challenges persist, notably LeBron James’s recent struggles with turnovers, which have occasionally hindered the team’s momentum.

In the recent victory against the LA Clippers, Doncic showcased his versatility by contributing 29 points, six rebounds, and nine assists, leading the offense efficiently.

His ability to navigate defensive strategies, particularly the drop coverage, a scheme designed to prevent ball-handlers from attacking the rim, has been noteworthy. Head coach JJ Redick emphasized Doncic’s proficiency against such defenses. In the post-game pressers, he stated, “The nature of playing with Luka Doncic is if you play drop coverage against him, you’re going to die. So, teams are going to ride, or they’re going to blitz. We have to be better, and we’re going to figure that out. It helps when you can play all shooting lineups. I’m not concerned about that”. 

Drop Coverage, as many basketball enthusiasts would be aware, is reportedly a defensive scheme against a pick-and-roll. It helps to prevent the ball-handler from getting to the rim. Drop Coverage was famously used against Luka Doncic during the 2024 Western Conference Finals. During Game 1 of the series, featuring the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert initiated the defense strategy as the Slovenian attempted a pick-and-roll. Daniel Gafford set a high ball screen, and Gobert stayed at the 3-point line, getting ready for Doncic’s attack.

Later, Gobert fell back to the free-throw line. He contained Doncic long enough so that Jaden McDaniels could fight around the screen and recover the ball. These and later moves used by Gobert and McDaniels confused Doncic. The Slovenian executed a little sidestep to get a decent look. However, Gobert bought McDaniels enough time to contest the shot and force a miss.

It may have been that moment in the Western Conference Finals or something else. Eventually, Luka Doncic realized his trouble in breaking through a drop coverage. Now, as Redick has confirmed, the player faces no trouble with the same. Working through his weaknesses is one way that Luka Doncic can ensure that he can continue delivering for the Lakers. It helps the team to gain at least some advantage as LeBron James’s inability to fix his weakness continues to trouble the team.

JJ Redick criticizes the high turnover count as LeBron James and Luka Doncic record several slips

There is no denying that the recent Lakers-Clippers game could have gone the other way, too. The LA franchise could have suffered a defeat after winning the last 5 games. Therefore, JJ Redick discussed the issues that put his team behind at certain moments in the game. The head coach took a shot at the turnovers. After all, the Lakers had recorded 16 of them, while the Clippers had recorded 12. The team’s lead scorers were responsible for the most slip-ups. LeBron James recorded 8 turnovers while Luka Doncic recorded 6 (The other 2 turnovers were from Jaxson Hayes). More than the turnovers, it was how the Clippers used them.

“The turnovers once again hurt us. (They) scored 20 points off our turnovers,” said Redick.

“I think there’s probably…. it wasn’t a play that was more emblematic of our effort than um when it was 93-88, I think there’s seven something to go. LeBron misses a 22 foot two-pointer. Vando gets the rebound, we get it back to LeBron, he misses a floater. Trey gets the rebound, we kick it back to LeBron, he misses the three from the corner, Vando gets the rebound. We end up getting it to Luka, Trey’s over in the right corner, he pins in for LeBron, he hits that three”.

JJ Redick did not specifically call out LeBron James over the turnovers. However, the criticism might have placed him in a hypothetical spotlight. After all, the player had averaged 4.5 turnovers last month. Despite winning against the Portland Trail Blazers recently, LeBron James ended up recording 11 turnovers. His recent 8 turnovers do not speak well of a potential improvement. So, while Luka Doncic has fixed his issues with the Drop Coverage, maybe LeBron James can follow suit and lessen his turnover rate.