LeBron James says Lakers have ‘a whole new offensive system’ as they integrate Russell Westbrook, newcomers

The Los Angeles Lakers are known for their defensive identity over the past two seasons. The combination of LeBron James and Anthony Davis alongside a wide variety of 3-and-D role players has made them the best defensive team in the NBA since Frank Vogel became the team’s coach, but with With so many of their top defensemen gone and Russell Westbrook taking their place, the Lakers are going to have to focus more on their offense this season. It won’t be easy, because according to James they are installing an entirely new system to help onboard and maximize all of their new players.

“We’ve got pretty much a whole new offensive system this year that we’ve been working on in our practices since starting training camp,” James said after Friday’s preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors. “It’s an adjustment for us offensively, just having guys in different positions, having guys in different places on the pitch with our new look and what we’re trying to do.”

“It will be a process for us, but I think it will be better for us in the long run. It allows the ball to move from side to side,” said James. “Not much with a dribble but more with a pass. And obviously we have downhill forwards with Russ, K (endrick) Nunn, myself and Talen.”

It’s going to require more movement, both from the ball and from the players. Mastering a more precise pattern like this takes time, and it’s worth noting that James’ teams tend to have a hard time initially incorporating new players before they finally figure it out.

Team	Offensive note
2010-11 Heat, first half of the season	109.7
2010-11 Heat, second half of the season	111.6
Riders 2014-15, first half of the season	108.2
Riders 2014-15, second half of the season	111.9

James is one of the greatest problem solvers in basketball history. If there’s a way to make this attack work despite Westbrook’s shortcomings as a shooter, he’s going to find it. It’s going to take a while, but luckily the Lakers have perhaps the easiest opening schedule in basketball. There will be a cushion for them to work through the folds. As long as the offense is resolved by the playoffs, the Lakers will be fine.