![\"LAKERS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2239093907-e1760628575717.jpg\")
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Jarred Vanderbilt #2, LeBron James #23, and Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a timeout in the second half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Acrisure Arena on October 03, 2025 in Palm Springs, California. <\/p>\n
The Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> are off to a 7-2 start despite dealing with a barrage of injuries. With LeBron James (sciatica) nearing a return<\/a> from injury, former All-Star John Wall<\/a> believes the league may not have any answers for the Lakers.<\/p>\n \u201cGood luck [trying to stop them],\u201d Wall told NBA TV\u2019s \u201cThe Association\u201d<\/a> on Thursday night, reacting to news of James being cleared<\/a> for basketball activities.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are 7-2 and he\u2019s sitting back and watching, \u2018OK, I don\u2019t have to be the main guy no more.\u2019 I think he didn\u2019t want to be the main guy the last few years, but he still had to do it. He\u2019s been like, \u2018Yo, please let me take the backseat.\u2019 And now he gets to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lakers are 7-2\u2026and the King is coming \ud83d\udc51<\/p>\n After being cleared for contact basketball activities, LeBron is getting closer to his return \u2013 and David Fizdale and @JohnWall<\/a> break down how it could take L.A. to the next level! <\/p>\n The Association is LIVE on NBA TV: <\/p>\n LeBron James, \u2018A Willing Screener\u2019<\/p>\n Wall added that Luka Doncic\u2019s red-hot<\/a> form and Austin Reaves<\/a>\u2018 ascension as a star will give James added motivation to thrive in an ancillary role \u2014 from setting screens as a short roller, rebounding, playing defense and initiating fast-break opportunities.<\/p>\n Former New York Knicks<\/a> head coach David Fizdale echoed a lot of those sentiments, explaining why James will thrive in his role as a screener for Reaves and Doncic.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat you\u2019re gonna see is a high number of screens from him,\u201d Fizdale said of James\u2019 new role. \u201cAnd he\u2019s a willing screener, especially when he knows he\u2019s getting the ball from those guys in actions. And here\u2019s the killer \u2014 if you switch on him, he\u2019ll punish your point guard by taking him to the nail or the elbow.<\/p>\n \u201cHe adds a great element to their game,\u201d Fizdale added.<\/p>\n Lakers New Big 3<\/p>\n Last season, there were initially some concerns about three ball-handlers, Doncic, Reaves and James, thriving together when the Lakers traded for the Slovenian star. However, those concerns quickly dissipated as the Lakers went on a triumphant run after the All-Star break, with Reaves actually seeing his production increase.<\/p>\n Wall feels that James\u2019 ability to spot-up for threes \u2014 a task he rarely performed in the early part of his career \u2014 has also helped him play next to other ball-handlers.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople forget that \u2018Bron is a knockdown shooter now,\u201d Wall said of James, who averaged 2.1 made threes<\/a> at 38% shooting last year, and 41% the year before.<\/p>\n \u201cEarlier in his career, he couldn\u2019t shoot. Now, he can spot up. They [Lakers] have the right pieces for him [to thrive],\u201d added the former No. 1 overall pick.<\/p>\n The Lakers begin a five-game road trip this week with stops in Atlanta, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Milwaukee. The Lakers are reportedly hoping to get LeBron James back when they return home to play the Utah Jazz<\/a> on Nov. 18.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tSai Mohan<\/a> covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Lakers\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t