Magic Already Excited by LeBron's Offseason Impact on Lakers
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EL SEGUNDO โ Magic Johnson can already see LeBron Jamesโ impact on the young Los Angeles Lakers before theyโve even had a regular practice together.
โItโs something to watch. Iโve watched LeBron from afar. Iโve been at many of his games. But to watch him in the gym is a whole different thing. How much he makes everybody better, but also how he raises everybodyโs level of play.โ โ Magic Johnson
After just a few weeks of unusually competitive offseason scrimmages, the Lakersโ basketball boss canโt wait to see how Jamesโ leadership will translate into real success.Magic and general manager Rob Pelinka on Thursday pronounced themselves thrilled with the offseason progress made by their revamped roster and James, their prize free-agent acquisition. The Lakers have been working out together informally at the clubโs training complex ahead of the start of training camp Tuesday, and Johnson likes what he sees so far.
โJust to see all of them together playing a pickup game, oh my goodness,โ Johnson said. โItโs something to watch. Iโve watched LeBron from afar. Iโve been at many of his games. But to watch him in the gym is a whole different thing. How much he makes everybody better, but also how he raises everybodyโs level of play. His basketball IQ and his leadership ability, itโs all on display.โ
Determined to Allow Ball to Grow
Lonzo Ball wonโt be on display in every workout at the start of camp, however. The Lakersโ second-year point guard had knee surgery two months ago, and Pelinka said Ball will be held out of five-on-five scrimmages when camp begins, even though he has been fully cleared for all basketball activities.
โItโs physical. Itโs tough. Thereโs trash talking. Itโs just a lot of fun, and also a lot of teaching at the same time. Itโs really great to see these young guys getting a chance to learn from champions.โ โ Magic Johnson
Johnson and Pelinka praised Ballโs offseason work to improve his awkward jump shot by adjusting his shooting mechanics. They also realize Ball has plenty of work to do.The Lakers are determined to allow Ball to grow into his role as a playmaking leader, and Johnson believes Rajon Rondo will play a mentoring role. Along with James, the Lakers also acquired Rondo, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee and Michael Beasley to form a new veteran core for a 16-time NBA champion franchise that hasnโt made the playoffs since 2013.
The Lakersโ disparate collection of talent will need plenty of time to gel, but Johnson is already seeing it happen in those scrimmages.
โI mean, they are going hard,โ Johnson said. โItโs physical. Itโs tough. Thereโs trash talking. Itโs just a lot of fun, and also a lot of teaching at the same time. Itโs really great to see these young guys getting a chance to learn from champions.โ
One of the Deepest Rosters in the NBA
And as if he needed any reminder, Johnson has witnessed the singular skills of the 33-year-old James, who agreed to a four-year, $154 million free-agent deal.
โLeBron comes in, and heโs already in midseason form and shooting fadeaways and 3-pointers from almost half-court. And youโre sitting there saying, โMan, thank God we signed him.'โ โ Magic Johnson
โLeBron comes in, and heโs already in midseason form and shooting fadeaways and 3-pointers from almost half-court,โ Johnson said with a broad grin. โAnd youโre sitting there saying, โMan, thank God we signed him.'โAlong with blending their new additions, the Lakers must adjust to the loss of Julius Randle and Brook Lopez. Johnson and Pelinka arenโt worried about filling the space left by the departures of those two big men, believing theyโve got more than enough height to guard anyone.
โWe feel we have two players at every position โ a starter and then a backup to that person,โ Johnson said.
Added Pelinka: โA lot of people have said this is one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, and that is an extreme strength to us.โ
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