The Los Angeles Lakers are set to embark on a highly anticipated NBA season, with notable changes and exciting storylines surrounding the team. Under the new leadership of head coach JJ Redick, the Lakers are aiming to build on the foundation laid last season, despite the roster remaining largely unchanged.
New Coach, Renewed Optimism
JJ Redick steps into his new role with a clear vision for the team. Having recently joined the Lakers' coaching staff, Redick is focused on creating a seamless blend of veteran experience and young talent. Speaking about the challenges and opportunities ahead, he remarked, "I don't look at it as a challenge. It's unique from any other challenge of coaching a player or coaching a relationship. Bronny, I feel very fortunate that I get to coach him because he's young and he's hungry, and he's got a lot of inherent skillsets that we can really mold into a really good NBA player."
LeBron and Bronny James: A Family Affair
One of the most intriguing aspects of the upcoming season is the possibility of LeBron James playing alongside his son, Bronny James. The Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th pick in the second round, and there is a palpable buzz around the potential father-son duo taking the court together. While the exact configuration of their roles is yet to be determined, Redick acknowledged the discussions taking place within the team. "We obviously have talked about it as a staff and we've gotten into some specifics of what that might look like. But we haven't committed to anything. And obviously, there's a discussion to be had once we're all together with Bronny and LeBron, too. They should be a part of that discussion as well," he said.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' General Manager, shared an interesting anecdote from a practice session where the competitive spirit between LeBron and Bronny was on full display. "[Bronny] got switched onto LeBron, and LeBron took him baseline, up and under off the glass. The words exchanged afterward were probably more challenging than anything else," Pelinka recounted. LeBron himself summed it up succinctly with, "Great defense. Better O."
Health and Roster Updates
As the Lakers gear up for their season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22, there are several health updates of note. Gabe Vincent and Jalen-Hood Schifino are entering the season in good health, providing a boost to the team’s depth and versatility. However, there remains a level of concern regarding Jarred Vanderbilt, who underwent procedures on both feet during the offseason.
Pelinka expressed cautious optimism about Vanderbilt’s recovery. "We have a lot of optimism that when the real games start, he'll be available. Between now and then, there is still about a month, and there are a lot of ramp-up steps that need to go well, so hopefully there won't be setbacks," he explained.
Sustaining Excellence
Both Redick and Pelinka are committed to ensuring that the Lakers maintain a standard of excellence that is sustainable over the long term. Pelinka emphasized this philosophy, stating, "I think the philosophy that JJ and I are aligned on is we want to build sustainable Lakers excellence. And I think, when we talk about moves, you can make a move that backfires. I think every GM has made a trade where he says, 'Maybe that one wasn't ideal.' But every lens that we look through has to lead to sustainable Lakers excellence."
The upcoming season promises to be an intriguing chapter in Lakers history. With LeBron James entering his 22nd NBA season at the age of 39, and the potential emergence of Bronny James as a significant contributor, fans have numerous reasons to stay engaged. As the Lakers take their first steps on this journey, all eyes will be on how this blend of experience, youthful exuberance, and strategic insight from the coaching staff translates into success on the court.