As the days draw nearer and nearer, fans are itching for the next upcoming NBA season. This year’s media day has officially wrapped and there’s a lot of hype and questions going into the season for most teams. What to expect from last year’s champions Boston Celtics? Can they repeat? What will the Lakers play like now with Bronny James on the roster? What kind of veteran leadership can Demar Derozan bring to the Sacramento Kings? What role Russell Westbrook can facilitate for the Denver Nuggets? What teams will get better this season? What teams will get worse? There’s plenty of teams to break down but let’s focus on the 17-time NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Imagine being one of the greatest basketball players of all time. You’ve broken records. You surpassed Kareem Abdul Jabbar as the player with most career points of all time. You’ve won championships and carved out a legacy that no one can ever duplicate. You’re approaching your 22nd season in the NBA and you’re just now reliving your dream. LeBron James has done it all in the league but he is now embarking on his desire of playing alongside his son Bronny James for the Lakers. Bronny was recently drafted 55th in the second round of the 2024 draft and that caused a great deal of controversy amongst basketball fans on if Bronny deserved that spot.
When it comes to the negativity, Bronny has a good head on shoulders by ignoring the hate. As the son of LeBron James, that’s going to come regardless. Bronny has always been his own person and will continue that mindset as a NBA rookie. He has gained the knowledge to “tune out all the noise” and “tune out all the people that say that I shouldn’t be here” and focus on the task at hand. Bronny and the younger core on the Lakers are focused on getting better everyday during practice and being a “sponge” by learning from the vets as much as possible everyday to become better players.
During media day, LeBron indicated that he’s excited for this next chapter in Bronny’s career and it brings him “pure joy” playing with his son. Also, during his time playing in the Olympics earlier in the year, LeBron stated that it “gives him life” playing with younger talent like Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, so he’s ready for the challenge that comes with the Lakers this season and most importantly the growth of Bronny. As a veteran in the NBA, James is still one of the very best in the game. Last season, James averaged 25.7 points, shooting 54% from the field with 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds to his name. Now with Bronny at his side, the James crew and Anthony Davis look to burst through the season with now new head coach, JJ Redick.
Entering his 13th season, Anthony Davis is still on the hunt to get his first Defensive Player of the Year award. As a 5-time all defensive juggernaut, AD is looking forward to this new season for the Lakers and feels as though he doesn’t get the credit nor appreciation that he deserves on the defensive side of the game. On media day, AD says that “every part” of his defense game doesn’t get appreciated. Even with a NBA championship on his resumé, Davis is still hungry for much more success in this league and hope Redick gives him the keys to become an even greater player.
With practically the same team as last season, the Lakers will be climbing a tough mountain for the 2024-25 season at hand. With Denver coming back stronger, Dallas adding Klay Thompson, CP3 and Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio, Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings all getting better, it’ll be interesting to see how the Lakers measure up to the competition in the Western Conference. With a new coach in JJ Redick, the Lakers will be focusing on gaining a new system and building a “new language” between the coaching staff and the players to form better chemistry, have an overall better season than last and compete for a championship.
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