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Lakers Sign Rarely Known LeBron James Rival to Coaching Staff

Published 09/12/2021, 12:14 AM EDT

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The Lake Show currently has nine players on their roster 30 years and beyond in age. Undoubtedly, they also have a very charismatic leader in LeBron James and a time-tested coach in Frank Vogel to handle the team. But one more addition to the leadership position won’t harm, and that’s where John Lucas III comes in.

It’s official, the Lakers Nation has hired retired point guard John Lucas as an assistant coach to guide them in 2021-22. As wonderful as it sounds, there is a stigma that John carries with him and Bron has everything to do with it.

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When LeBron James embarrassed John Lucas III

Back in 2012, John Lucas was playing his fourth NBA season and his second with the Chicago Bulls. On January 29, he had a nightmare of an outing when LeBron James punished him as if he never existed. 

Right at the beginning of the game, Dwyane Wade passed an air-ball towards a flying King James. That’s when the Akron Hammer cruised over the shoulders of the 5’11” Lucas and converted a monstrous alley-oop. The L-Train later described how he saw no one in his way towards the slam dunk.

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That night, the Heat won 97-93 in a game where DWade struggled while LeBron added 35 points and Derrick Rose dropped 34. Thanks to a Blake Griffin dunk over Kendrick Perkins just a few days later, the world finally stopped its mocking of a poor victim in John.

Now, the 38-YO John must forget that embarrassment before meeting Bron or things might get a little uncomfortable.

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How would the Lakers benefit from this addition?

John Lucas III is the son of a legendary player development name in John Lucas II. So he carries coaching in his DNA and that is quite promising. Plus, his stint in Minnesota ensures that he has experience on his resume and that it’s not Rob Pelinka’s blind faith in him.

Next, the Lakers have already lost Jason Kidd and Jared Dudley to Dallas. Moreover, they haven’t re-signed Lionel Hollins’ contract and all this had left fewer leading voices in the coaching panel.

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With the addition of someone like John, they again have a strong voice in the locker room and his impact can’t be equated with his height. So what do you think, will this signing help Bron and Co. with greater cohesion? Help us know in the comments section below.

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Written by:

Sourabh Singh

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Sourabh Singh is an NBA sports analyst for EssentiallySports, who has been working with the site since May 2020. Prior to this, he functioned as Managing Editor at WittyFeed, followed by a stint at Decathlon. The Sports Management graduate leads an active lifestyle, veering to the mountains for off-trail adventures.
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