New Lakers Coach Begins Team Building
At the start of Los Angeles Lakers training camp on Tuesday, newly hired coach JJ Redick hosted a team dinner in Beverly Hills. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss and establish the group’s vision for moving forward. Max Christie, the Lakers’ guard, shared that the gathering was the first time the entire team had come together in one place. “JJ and the coaching staff have given us core team values ​​and ground rules, aimed at bringing us together under a shared ownership,” said Christie.
LeBron James on Managing Expectations
In the face of growing expectations of Redick’s arrival and the energy he brings, LeBron James is doing everything he can to keep his team strong. He emphasizes that the focus should be on daily behavior at work rather than high expectations. “It is not right to burden us with our expectations right now. The important thing is how we present ourselves, practice and work every day,” said James.
Efficiency: The Lakers’ New Mantra
In a recent interview, Redick expressed his hope that his team will be known for its “efficiency” on offense, defense and preparation. His detail-oriented work ethic was admired by James, who praised a successful first day of training.
Learning and Practicing Together
James admitted that his interaction with Redick over the summer was limited to the occasional text exchange. So, he learns the new program along with his teammates. “It is a learning journey for all of us. We all get used to traveling,” said James.
First Line and Rotation
Redick decided to stick with the starters who finished last season with an impressive 18-6 record. The list consists of James, Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura. He also revealed his plan to use a nine-man rotation, meaning there is more competition between players in the remaining four spots.
Players to Watch
Among the mixed players, Max Christie stood out during Tuesday’s game alongside the starters. Meanwhile, Jarred Vanderbilt is recovering from season-ending surgery on both feet, and Cam Reddish sat out part of 5-on-5 practice due to soreness.
Recommended by Max Christie
Both Redick and James had words of praise for Christie, who recently signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Lakers. “Max has been improving, and I’m glad we can keep him this summer. I’m looking forward to a promising season from him,” said James. Christie, selected 35th in the second round of the 2022 draft by the Lakers, averaged 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game last season. “This season, I aim to prove myself consistently and put together a full season of strong performances,” said Christie.
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