As he prepares for his twenty second NBA season, Lakers star LeBron James seems to be energized by the prospect to compete alongside his son, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. After Wednesday’s observe, Anthony Davis detailed a spirited trade between LeBron and Bronny James throughout a five-on-five scrimmage.
“It’s unbelievable to have the ability to be right here and witness it in observe,” Davis mentioned. “Bronny hit a 3 over him as we speak. All people was speaking smack in Bronny’s favor. Then Bron got here down and simply bullied someone. Simply took it out on (the defender) — I forgot who it was — and received a layup. Bronny got here down and hit one other 3, I believe over Austin (Reaves). And Bron wished the ball. So you can see, though they weren’t matched up, the competitors is there. And that’s what we like to see.”
At age 39, LeBron is coming off an extended summer season of basketball that culminated with a gold medal for Group USA in Paris. New head coach J.J. Redick has talked to crew coach Mike Mancias about slowly getting LeBron prepared for the beginning of the season, however he declined to disclose any particulars.
“I believe we’ve got a reasonably clear plan,” Redick mentioned. “We’ll share that plan when it’s applicable.”
There’s extra from Los Angeles:
- LeBron believes third-year wing Max Christie is able to tackle a bigger position this season, McMenamin provides in one other story. A second-round choose in 2022, Christie acquired a brand new four-year, $32MM contract this summer season. “I believe for me it’s form of simply proving myself once more,” Christie mentioned. “I haven’t confirmed an excessive amount of as a participant on this league. I’ve had spurts and sporadic moments the place I’ve been actually good, however I need to put an entire season collectively. Hopefully I get the chance to try this this 12 months.”
- Redick has to steadiness his analytical facet together with his basketball instincts as he adjusts to viewing the sport as a coach, observes Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Occasions. Though Davis believes “numbers aren’t something,” they’re crucial to Redick, who desires as a lot statistical information as he can get. “Extra data is healthier,” Redick mentioned. “That’s how I … each individual we’ve employed, that’s been a key factor that I’ve advised them. ‘Do you need to get within the weeds?’ ‘Yeah, I do need to get within the weeds. Yeah.’ In order a lot information as doable.”
- Common supervisor Rob Pelinka had a surprisingly quiet summer season when it comes to personnel strikes, however he indicated at a current press convention that he’s prepared to half with future first-round picks to make the Lakers higher this season (hat tip to Lake Present Life). “I believe the philosophy that J.J. and I are aligned on is: We need to construct sustainable Lakers excellence … each lens that we glance by has to result in sustainable Lakers excellence,” Pelinka mentioned. “So the direct reply to your query is: Sure, we’d do a commerce with each (accessible first-round draft) picks if that may result in sustainable Lakers excellence. We might additionally use one choose to make a marginal improve if we felt it was the best factor to do.”
