Laker head coach JJ Redick
It was a family affair at this year's media day for the Los Angeles Lakers as it was the first time the world saw LeBron James and Bronny James wearing their Lakers uniform together.
The father and son duo were the first two Laker players to take the court taking photos and being interviewed together. The 39-year-old Lebron James is now entering his 22nd year in the NBA, tying Hall of Famer Vince Carter for the most in NBA history.
"So, I feel really good physically. Mentally, I feel really good. Really sharp. Very fresh. Looking forward to getting to work," LeBron said. "I have not thought about what the future holds. Kind of just living in the moment. Especially with Bronny being here, too. I don't want to take this moment for granted."
Bronny James, a rookie out of the University of Southern California, was in a much different place last year on campus as he was working on returning from cardiac arrest he suffered on August 25th. Now he is in purple and gold next to his superstar father. "This is a crazy feeling. ... Just looking over at my dad taking pictures, it was like, 'What's going on right now?'," Bronny James said. "[That was] literally my thoughts. Just kind of take it all in. Extremely grateful for the opportunity."
The Lakers will be going into their first training camp with new and first-time head coach JJ Redick. James and fellow superstar Anthony Davis both stated that they didn't spend much time with Redick going over the coach's new system during the summer.
James and Davis are going into their 5th season playing together and know there are challenges ahead. Davis, who won a gold medal with James at the Paris Olympics, admitted the Lakers will have tough competition going forward.
"The West is tough," Davis said. "The West has always been tough, you know, 1-15. So for us, we can't get too excited for a win, too low for a loss. We have to come in and stay even keeled. That continuity helps, building off last year with the team that we had. But I think if we're healthy and we're able to stay healthy throughout the entire season, we can be a top team in the West. If we get hit by the injury bug again, it's going to be tough."
Davis has put together a résumé that places him among the greatest players of the 21st century. He's an NBA champion, NCAA champion, and two-time Olympic gold medalist, as well as a five-time All-NBA and five-time All-Defense honoree. Davis hasn't received an individual award like the Defensive Player of the Year or MVP yet in his illustrious career. When asked what part of his game is underrated, he stated, "All of it. Every part."
James and Davis will be looked upon to lead a group with some returning players Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt when he gets healthy, Jaxson Hayes, Max Christie, Cam Reddish, and Jalen Hood-Schifino. Rookies James and first round pick Dalton Knecht will look to learn from the vets and try to earn minutes in a group that is looking to have a 'family connection' by the time the real games begin.
The Lakers will play their preseason opener this Friday October 4th against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7:30 p.m. in Palm Springs. Their regular season home opener will be Tuesday, October 22, against the Timberwolves at Cryto.com Arena.
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