LeBron James on JJ Redick playing five men in second half of Game 4

[ASFN Admin]

A good number of people are still second-guessing the decision Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made to play just five men throughout the second half of Game 4 of the team's first-round playoff series versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers had built a 10-point lead at the end of the third quarter, but they collapsed afterward and lost, 116-113, before getting eliminated in Game 5 back home.

Some feel Redick may have cost the team the series with that one move. But on his "Mind the Game" podcast, LeBron James seemed to defend that decision when he said no one questioned the move by Redick.

"None of us questioned JJ and the coaching staff about what happened," James said. "Obviously, Gabe [Vincent] and Vando (Jarred Vanderbilt), guys who have given us so many great minutes, they definitely felt a way because they are competitors," said James. "We all feel like we can get in and make a moment happen. JJ told us it wasn't a decision that was based on guys not being able to do the job, it was a decision based on the feeling of the game and the momentum of the game. None of us looked at him or the coaching staff in any way for the decision that he made. [Expletive], it was our fault that we didn't come through."

The lineup of James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura scored the first 14 points of the third quarter and won the period 36-23. But it scored just 19 points and shot 27.8% from the field in the final period.

In that fourth quarter, L.A.'s three stars struggled. James took just two shot attempts and went scoreless, while Doncic was 1-of-6 from the field and Reaves went 2-of-7 from the field.

Now the Lakers have a longer-than-expected offseason to improve their roster and figure out how to become a truly championship-caliber team next season. Of course, James, who has a player option for next season, has to decide whether he will return for his 23rd NBA campaign and whether he will suit up for the Purple and Gold.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: LeBron James on JJ Redick playing five men in second half of Game 4

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