LeBron James is one of the few players on the planet in the business of professional sports whose level of attention and respect is such as it is. For nearly two decades, his career reads like a series of excellent, if not always consistent, seasons, and his knowledge matters not only on the court but off of it too.
James questioned having the Los Angeles Lakers take their preseason trip to Milwaukee earlier this month. That got people talking (among fans, analysts and players alike) to search for what lies behind preseason games, the logistics of travel and the players’ welfare.
Understanding Preseason Games
NBA preseason games have an important role. They provide teams with an opportunity to:
- Evaluate roster depth: Bench players and new recruits are tested by coaches. Determinations about what spots to take a player or cut can’t be made without knowing this.
- Fine-tune Strategies: During the regular season, teams can scheme up plays and strategies that they plan to use.
- Build Chemistry: It is hard to develop on-court chemistry during regular season games because of high stakes.
- Conditioning: This means players can get their conditioning down without the symptoms of having to compete in the regular season.
But these benefits have raised doubts about why the season is this long when it can be brutal.
The Case Against Extensive Travel
LeBron’s interest in the Lakers’ preseason trip to Milwaukee, however, injects—and should provoke—a vital debate about travel in preseason games. Several points warrant consideration:
- Player Welfare: Athletes’ physical and mental well-being can be drained from travel logistics. And it’s particularly acute for the veterans, such as LeBron, who have played a ton of minutes over the course of their careers.
- Injury Risks: It means that extended travel increases the risk of injury. More travel means additional training time off the team, something players need to be able to remain in peak physical condition.
- Effectiveness of Matchups: Some of the preseason matches can really not be an appropriate test of a team’s abilities, depending on the participating teams.
The ramifications of a league with an expanding schedule and intensifying playing requirements have always involved weighing the benefits against the costs—this is why LeBron’s perspective is so important.
Historical Context: The Value of the Preseason
It has always been seen as a preparation phase in the NBA preseason. The idea is further strengthened that teams take these tours to ensure that they have a team roster that they will not have to deal with much later on. Previous outcomes illustrate mixed results:
- Positive Outcomes: Looking at that history, there were some teams that actually committed to a really rigorous preseason tour and went into the regular season knowing better who their lineups were and what tactics would be in place.
- Negative Outcomes: As for some groups, it was like they were hungover or were injured coming out of their preseason games, which affected their play for the majority of the season.
It is the face of an iconic franchise like the Lakers that has to decide its preseason schedule from a historical perspective.
What’s Next for the Lakers?
As the Lakers consider their next steps, there are several routes they could take:
- Evaluate the Schedule: Looking at the preseason agenda could help the Lakers look at the best route to travel with to maximize their success.
- Focus on Local Matches: It might help players with some less travel matchups to be in better headspace.
- Seek Player Input: Getting players to contribute to the decision-making process of when we travel as a team can help boost morale and player considerations.
Player feedback into the logistical decision can be a way to create a more collaborative environment and in many cases it’s still necessary to cater to the team’s needs.
Conclusion
Some of LeBron’s questions about the Lakers’ preseason trip to Milwaukee represent questions we hear often from professional sports about travel, player welfare and the pre-game preparation: As we prepare for the regular season and manage player health, there can be little doubt over the importance of thoughtful scheduling.
LeBron’s discussion brings needed dialogue toward preparing teams to win in the best way while simultaneously maintaining top athlete well-being a top priority.
Ahead of an NBA Finals rematch against LeBron James’ hometown Cavaliers, it’s still important to look at every element of the Lakers’ preparation strategy, including why these travel excursions in the preseason are necessary.