'He knows the most': How LeBron James sets the tone for Lakers entering playoffs

LeBron James will play in a record-tying 19th postseason when the Lakers host the Rockets on Saturday in a first-round playoff series opener. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times) Bright lights, big stage, same LeBron. Unmoved by postseason pressure, superstar LeBron James said he doesn’t plan to change his preparation ahead of the Lakers ’ playoff opener against the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

Approaching his record-tying 19th postseason appearance, James has reason to believe in his well-established routine. “Nothing changes for me from the regular season to the postseason,” James said, “besides just making even more heightened focus. ” The consistent approach that guided him through 23 regular seasons puts James in position to star in another high-stakes game as the Lakers (53-29) chase the franchise’s 18th NBA championship.

James will command almost the entire spotlight with guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves still sidelined. The 41-year-old, 22-time All-Star has never had a problem with being a leading man. “I think a lot of the great players, the best players, what they're addicted to is being the showman,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, referencing Stephen Curry’s fourth-quarter heroics that pushed the Golden State Warriors over the Clippers in a thrilling play-in game Wednesday night.

“And being on the stage and giving a performance. … Read more: Luka Doncic eligible for NBA's postseason awards after league, NBPA rule in his favor "One of the reasons they're great and they're able to be the showman so consistently is because they recognize [that] to be the showman, I have to do all the things necessary to then go on stage and perform at my best. And that's the commitment with LeBron that I've talked about so often.