The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for what promises to be a fascinating NBA season under their new head coach, JJ Redick. With legendary LeBron James entering his 22nd NBA season at the age of 39, the team has intriguing prospects both on and off the court.
One of the most captivating storylines is the possibility of LeBron playing alongside his son, Bronny James, who was selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the second round. After playing one season at USC, Bronny is expected to spend significant time in the G League. Nonetheless, his presence on the Lakers' roster has created a buzz among fans and analysts alike.
Father-Son Dynamic
Head coach JJ Redick has been vocal about the unique challenges and opportunities that come with coaching both LeBron and Bronny James. Redick 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.”
Redick and the coaching staff have yet to commit to a specific plan involving the father-son duo, as discussions are still ongoing. "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," Redick elaborated.
Health and Roster Updates
The Lakers' roster remains largely unchanged from last season, which saw a rejuvenated team make a strong playoff push. Key players like Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino are reported to be in good health. However, there are some lingering concerns, particularly regarding Jarred Vanderbilt. The forward underwent procedures on both feet during the offseason and his status remains uncertain. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' general manager, expressed optimism but noted the need for caution. “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," Pelinka said.
Building Sustainable Success
Under the guidance of Redick and Pelinka, the Lakers aim to build "sustainable Lakers excellence." This philosophy is not just a catchphrase but a strategic vision for the future. Pelinka recognizes the risk and rewards of making roster changes but emphasizes the importance of long-term success. “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,” Pelinka explained.
Competitive Spirit
The competitive spirit among the Lakers is as high as ever. Anecdotes from training sessions highlight the intensity of intra-squad matchups. One memorable moment described by Pelinka involved LeBron and Bronny going head-to-head. "[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 recalled. LeBron himself summarized the encounter succinctly: “Great defense. Better O.”
As the Lakers prepare for their season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22, the anticipation is palpable. With a mix of seasoned veterans and young talent, all eyes will be on how this team meshes under Redick’s leadership. The potential on-court partnership between LeBron and Bronny James serves as an intriguing subplot to what could be another memorable season for the storied franchise.