The word to describe LeBon James' season with the Los Angeles Lakers has been patience. 

For the first time in James' career, he's not the clear first option on his team and he's been able to take that transition in stride and transform himself into the exact kind of player that the Lakers need him to be right now.

That player is a playmaker. With Luka Doncic playing at such a high level and Austin Reaves emerging as a career-best offensive threat, the offense no longer needs to move through James to create wins. Instead, he's been able to become a player that the offense can move through instead. 

He's averaging 6.9 assists per game this season and he added another stellar playmaking performance Wednesday night with nine assists in the Lakers' 137-130 win over the Indiana Pacers to finish a tough road trip 5-1. 

it's clearly been a different kind of role than James has ever experienced before in his career and especially lately, he's embraced that.

It was a process getting to that point, but after a conversation that head coach JJ Redick said he had with James about what the future Hall of Famer can do to help win games, James has flipped the switch that's made him a facilitator on the court. 

"I used the word patience the other night and I think that's the biggest thing," Redick said to the media. "Having patience with the flow of the game. Having patience with me. Having patience with his shots... A lot of it was the conversation him and I had a couple weeks ago about what his role could look like that would impact winning."

Along with his longevity, James' versatility has been a huge strength throughout his career and even in year 23, that hasn't changed. 

He's remained an explosive scorer that can lead the team in points himself on some nights, but his adjustment to becoming the kind of player that's just as willing to set up his teammates has been a huge development and a big part of the Lakers' recent surge.

His willingness to take an adjusted role despite his status is what allows James to stretch the Lakers' limited depth to a new height. With a teammate at the caliber of Doncic, James has the confidence to serve up scoring, rather than try and take it for himself. 

The value that he contributes more than two decades after his debut is a testament to James' persistent skill and even if his presence looks different on the court, it's no less effective. 

It may have taken time and yes, patience, to settle this role, but it's a move that's paid off for the Lakers in a big way.