LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are banking on his younger teammates to contribute in the playoffs.

WATCH: Mic’d up LeBron James shows him channeling inner mentor to coach Lakers squad

LeBron James mentors teammates during Los Angeles Lakers practice (image via Los Angeles Lakers/X)

When one plays for as long as LeBron James has in the NBA, one is bound to gain a lot of experience. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar uses that experience in his game to benefit not just himself but also his teammates. As such, he was recently caught mentoring his younger Lakers teammates.

The Los Angeles Lakers released a video of one of their backstage practices. In the video, LeBron James is mic’d up and proceeds to practice as usual. But what is evident is that James keeps calling instructions to his fellow teammates. In one sequence when head coach Darvin Ham calls a play, James explains to new signing Spencer Dinwiddie, how players move around in a pick-and-roll situation. He even called players to lock in and put their hands up against shooters.

This goes to show how James helps the Lakers prepare for games. He is known for his incredible memory of plays, which translates into game-changing decisions. Even coach Ham suggested that considering the experience James has, his insights are extremely valuable to any younger player. He also tries to coach them up during games.

The coach also revealed that some younger teammates may have trouble processing the changes he makes to a play. But practices such as these can help hone the skills. These repetitions and understanding of how a play develops will help the youngsters contribute better, especially during the playoffs.

LeBron James needs his teammates to bring out their best during playoffs

With the final few games of the regular season approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for another postseason run. Being in the play-in spots will add additional games in April. However, they underwent the same process last season and ended up challenging eventual NBA Champions, the Denver Nuggets.

But this season, the Lakers have a younger squad. James will have to mentor his teammates to bring out their best. Come playoff time, contributions from all players will be necessary to avoid fatigue. The Lakers will have a tough road to the top in the tightly competitive Western Conference.

No wonder James takes on the mentor’s role in practices. After all, he is almost a player-coach when on the court. And the Lakers youngsters will need every bit of sage advice from the 20-time All-Star to overcome the West.