Lakers.com
The 2024-25 Lakers season tipped off (at least from an interview standpoint!) late Monday morning at the UCLA Health Training Center, when every player on the roster sat in front of the assembled media to field questions. Below is a summary of what we learned from those interviews:
LEBRON JAMES: YEAR 22
Only one player has participated in as many Media Days as LeBron James: Vince Carter, who played 22 seasons for eight different teams.
Here’s what LeBron and Carter did in their Year 21 season:
LeBron: 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 35.3 minutes
Carter: 7.4 points, 1.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 0.6 steals, 17.5 minutes
That’s not to denigrate the amazing career of Carter, but to emphasize just how ridiculous it is that LeBron is still putting up All-NBA, prime level numbers at a stage upon which only one other player in NBA history was even able to set foot on the floor.
LeBron, meanwhile, was also the MVP of the Olympics for Team USA’s gold medal run, which he wove into an answer about how he feels heading into Year 22.
“I’m a little bit more advanced in the Olympic year,” he cited, mentioning 2004, 2008 and 2012. “I’ve been playing all summer, pretty much, so a little more advanced in everything. Excited about that, excited about getting to work (at Tuesday’s practice). Should be really fun … I had a great summer. Body responded very well. I feel really good physically. Really sharp mentally.”
LEBRON AND BRONNY
The first father-son combination to (soon) share the court in NBA history made its debut from a photographic and interview standpoint on Monday as well, which proud father LeBron described.
“It’s a lot of excitement,” he shared. “Just pure joy, to be honest, to be able to come to work every day and put in the hard work with your son. And be able to see him continue to grow. We push each other … we push our teammates and vice versa. Just a very joyous moment not only for myself but for our family.”
Bronny later shared his excitement to be playing with his father, acknowledging that he was most looking forward to going at it with his teammates in practice, and then quipping that he would “definitely not” be carpooling with his dad.
ANTHONY DAVIS:
AD is coming off two of the most dominant individual seasons in NBA history when you account for production on both sides of the court. In fact, only two other players since 1972-73, when the league began to track certain stats like blocks, can match him.
Here’s the complete list of NBA players to average at least 24.7 points on 51.7% FG’s with 12.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.1 steals:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (4X): 1973-74, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78
Anthony Davis (3X): 2018-19, 2022-23, 2023-24
Hakeem Olajuwon: 1992-93
JJ Redick has mentioned AD as a player worthy of being in the MVP, and certainly, DPOY discussion, though Davis doesn’t really acknowledge the pursuit of individual awards.
“Individual accolades take care of themselves,” he said. “I don’t stress too much over that. I go out and play basketball and focus on team wins.”
Davis did acknowledge that he’s excited to see how Redick coaches, and relayed that he gave his input to Rob Pelinka through the hiring process: “JJ played the game … the principles and the schemes that he wanted to bring to our organization stood out to me, and I relayed that to Rob, and let Rob do his job from there.”
RUI HACHIMURA:
Coach Redick has already stated that he’ll start the same group that finished 18-6 last season, with Rui Hachimura in the frontcourt next to LeBron and AD, and Hachimura feels great about that. In fact, he was in the gym working out earlier this summer, and had a 30-minute conversation with Redick about what they can establish as a team.
“He talked about wanting me to shoot more 3’s,” shared Hachimura. “He thinks I’m a great shooter. Offensively and defensively, I have to be involved more, and I think it’s going to be a big year for me.”
One additional area of focus for Hachimura will be crashing the offensive glass from the corner.
“With this lineup, I’m going to be in the corner a lot,” he shared. “That’s the best way to approach offensive rebounds. I have to be more aggressive on that. I have the size and the speed to do that. That’s what they’re asking, and I agree with that.”
D’ANGELO RUSSELL
Redick revealed that he spoke extensively to Russell in the offseason, and came away very impressed. The feeling was mutual for Russell.
“We had a great conversation … we kind of hit it off,” he relayed. “Very high-IQ guy basketball wise and personally. I think I gravitated towards that right away.”
Russell thinks Redick is the “perfect guy” to understand the balance between imparting his philosophies and schemes as a coach, and allowing the players a certain level of independence and trust.
Speaking of trust, that’s where Russell feels he’s grown of late, in trusting in his craft and that he’s a problem for the other team, but also being aware of his limitations, and working to gain the trust of the coaching staff that he won’t lose focus on the defensive end.
AUSTIN REAVES
Reaves, for the first time in a while, had a full offseason. He said that he used the first three weeks to decompress and see his family, and then got back to work, with an emphasis on adding strength, and then getting familiar with the schemes and plans of Redick and his staff.
“It’s been a great summer,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun being around those guys and learning, and having a good understanding of what (they want) going into this year.
“The whole structure and foundation that these coaches have brought in for us, talking with everyone, is a great start. I felt like last year we won a lot of games off talent. Everything that they’ve come in and talked about makes sense to me for our whole collective group.”
THE BENCH ROTATION
Gabe Vincent was the first of the expected bench rotation players to speak, and he shared how excited he is to simply be on the court healthy after a disappointing year in which he managed just 11 games.
“What I bring is the same thing I brought last year when we had this conversation,” he explained. “I can defend, I can make an open shot … I’m looking forward to helping this team win basketball games.”
Jarred Vanderbilt shared that while he’s feeling better as he continues to progress in his rehabilitation from foot surgery, he’s unsure if he’ll be available for the regular season opener. With that said, he’s been encouraged with his progress, and praised the “energy in the building” coming from the new coaching staff. He’s eager to get back into the form that he was showcasing just ahead of his February injury.
“That was me taking advantage of the opportunity I had,” he offered, when he hit double figures in scoring in six of seven games. “Obviously it’s going to take some time to get back to that level of play. I think I was trending in the right direction before I went down, and I’d like to get back to that part, and grow.”
Max Christie was mentioned by both Redick and Rob Pelinka in their presser as someone who impressed in the offseason, and that was very encouraging for Christie.
“JJ has done a really good job to start,” he said in turn. “He’s done a really good job explaining our offensive and defensive identity.”
As for the corner crashing that will be a thing for him as it will be for Hachimura: “It shouldn’t be too big of an adjustment. That comes down to effort and conditioning. For me, I think I do a pretty good job of rebounding my position … for us trying to get as many offensive possessions as we can get for the firepower we have (could be huge).”
Jaxson Hayes acknowledged the importance of his role as a bench big, particularly with Christian Wood (knee surgery) not yet ready to play. Wood shared that he’s thankful that he did the surgery almost immediately, is feeling good and thinks he’ll be back “sooner rather than later.” Until then, Hayes will try to answer the bell.
“I’m going to have to step up a lot more (with Wood being hurt) and be even a little better, even,” Hayes allowed.
His focus has been on getting in great shape, and really trying to understand the new offense and defense. He said he’s going to focus on playing out of the pocket and being dynamic as a roller, and also looking to stay on the court by making sure to hold a screen, and not pick up cheap fouls.
Cam Reddish said his approach is pretty similar to last year: “Continuing with my defensively abilities, making the right play on offense and being ready to shoot.”
THE YOUNG GUYS
Dalton Knecht and Bronny James did their media session together, with each rookie emphasizing their simple desire to get to practice, and learn from the coaches and their veteran teammates.
Knecht has already been appreciative on the developmental push from Redick and his staff, and should have a shot at cracking the rotation if he can show that the rest of his game will translate to the NBA as well as his shot will. Bronny is excited to keep getting better from a conditioning and basketball standpoint, after his progress was interrupted with the heart condition that kept him out for several months last year as he recovered.
Jalen Hood-Schifino, still just 21, is fully healthy after he had back surgery in March, and said he is “ready to go into camp and make an impact.” His fellow 2023 Draft classmate Maxwell Lewis has enjoyed the work with the coaching staff over the summer, and also hopes to show those gains against the vets.
