Explaining that he’s “self-motivated,” LeBron James said he’s not driven by a need to beat the Nuggets, who ended the Lakers‘ playoff run last spring and will be the opponent when the season tips off Tuesday, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Although James downplayed the rivalry, he’s clearly aware of some of the disrespect that came his way from Denver. Nuggets coach Michael Malone was introduced as “the Lakers’ daddy” during the team’s championship celebration, and in an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Malone mocked James’ talk of retirement after the playoff series ended.
“There will be a time,” James said about a potential response. “When that time is, I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s now or … there will be a time. There will be a time when everybody will get it, for sure.”
Heading into his 21st NBA season, James is optimistic about his health after missing 27 games last year with a right foot injury that bothered him throughout the playoffs. He said he’s fully recovered and ready for the challenges of a new campaign.
“It took a few months, but then when I was able to get back into my workouts, I was able to do some things I wasn’t capable of doing throughout the whole playoffs, probably even before the playoffs,” James said. “My workouts started getting better, my wind started getting better, my quick-twitch started getting better. I didn’t have to think about it as much. It’s great to have that feeling, just have your motor back.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- Head coach Darvin Ham told reporters today that Taurean Prince will be the team’s fifth starter for the season opener alongside James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, McMenamin adds. The veteran forward, who signed with L.A. as a free agent this summer, was used as a starter for most of the preseason. Prince will replace Jarred Vanderbilt, who had his sore left heel re-evaluated on Friday. Ham said Vanderbilt is considered day-to-day, but “in all likelihood” will miss Tuesday’s game.
- Gabe Vincent, who has been dealing with back tightness, has been cleared to play in the opener, tweets Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
- Free agent addition Jaxson Hayes made a case for regular playing time with a strong performance in the preseason, per Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. “He was phenomenal,” Davis said. “Catching in the pocket and making the right plays, finishing, protecting the rim, everything that we want out of him and more. Hustling. Things that can (be) better. But for the most part, he was phenomenal.”
Hayes has looked good and Wood adds an element that hasn’t been present for quite awhile but both these players are going to struggle seeing consistent minutes and getting into a groove for really no fault of their own
I just don’t see them playing AD at the 4 all that much this year. They’ll be some overlap minutes, they’ll try some 2 Big rotations but in the end the Wood/Hayes minutes will ultimately go to Vando/Rui/ Prince not either./Or ……. kinda crappy path for Wood/Hayes in all honesty, they’ll have to be mentally strong to endure the 82 game journey.
*Their future bags to be made will come down to how they can fit in (if at all) to playoff rotations more than the reg season imo so they must stay ready
laker season comes all down to 1 thing keeping AD healthy. If he goes down the team goes down.
Cap yes I agree with everything you’re saying but Darvin Ham told Christian Wood he had a big role for him this year and that’s why he signed with the Lakers?
Considering what you’re saying above and I’m agreeing with, it’s hard not to see Wood pouting come mid season.
Yea, Hams gonna have to do an awful lotta placating
I see the (possible) issues as well you are pondering
Idk what was guaranteed I just don’t see a 2 Big rotation being optimal here thus will most likely be phased out in short-ish order
Health (bad) can open up some mins but if we are talking optimal I just dont see the mins being fruitful for either to boast their own stock moving forward.
Players obv got $$ on their minds …we shall see ….
I think low key it will depend on if these guys really like each other all that much (i cant say to date) All will have to make sacrifices in some regards and that’s easier said than done
Is Vando the starter when he’s healthy though? He has rare skills for a player on my fantasy waiver wire and I really wanna know if I should add him
Right now Vanderbilt starts over Prince for sure when healthy. Not sure about your fantasy team because this will probably be reassessed after the first month or two. It might be decided later that Prince is the better fit in the starting lineup?
Hams presser indicated so but I think it will revolve a couple times before settled (if ever) – Not a bad thing Imo tho
LeBrons excuse lined up this year is Wood
The Nuggets beat the self proclaimed Goat lololol lololol is this a joke. This is everyone’s King. Paul Pressley could school this guy
Alex English could school James. Kobe could beat him 1vs1 today