The Los Angeles Lakers head into the 2024-2025 season with plenty of familiar faces, some of which played together for the past two seasons. However, the squad will be getting acclimated to a new coaching staff. Head coach JJ Redick has reached out to players since being hired in June.
Anthony Davis talks about playing alongside LeBron James for Team
USA during 2024 Olympics pic.twitter.com/UnpCJddihh— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) October 1, 2024
“[Redick] wants me to shoot more threes, He thinks that I’m a great shooter,” said forward Rui Hachimura. “I can be more physical, especially on the glass.”
Through all the trade rumors, guard D’Angelo Russell remained focused and vocal. He relies on trusting in his own abilities and how it impacts opponents.
“Teams know what I’m capable of, so I keep that in the back of my mind, knowing that I’m dangerous and keeping my confidence high,” Russell said. “I always try to hold my head high through adversity and always come out with confidence.”
Related Stories
Black Surfers United for the Third Annual ‘A Great Day in The Stoke’
Student Athlete of the Week: Ka’yon Richardson
The Los Angeles Lakers are going into the 24-25 season with mostly the same roster as last season. pic.twitter.com/8OCERhPmIY
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) October 1, 2024
He looks forward to the team finding ways to rebound more and finish games. Forward Anthony Davis brought up how health will be an important factor. Last season, five players were sidelined with injury.
“Patience is key, we’re not going to rush anything. The good thing is we do have a lot of the same players back from last year,” Davis said. “But then we also have a new coaching staff, which takes time to get adjusted to that.”
During the offseason, guard Austin Reaves had been working in the weight room. Last season, he was assigned to guard the best player on each team.
“It’s just a sample size of the condition that I have to be in to play both ends of the court,” Reaves said. “In instances last year, towards the end of the year, I found myself not making shots and you’ve got to figure out a way to eliminate that.”
Forward LeBron James enjoyed his historic summer, being the first ever men’s basketball player to be flagbearer for Team USA in the Olympic Opening Ceremony. He, along with Davis, helped Team USA basketball win gold in Paris.
“I’m a little more advanced in the Olympic year … because I’ve been playing all summer,” James said. “I definitely got an opportunity to enjoy the moment and enjoy what we were able to do and we were able to accomplish.”
Rookie guard Bronny James is aiming to learn from the veterans on the team.
“I’m a smart player,” Bronny said. “Just being a hard nose on the defensive end and just playing my role on the offensive end and being able to create a shot myself.”
The Lakers will have their first preseason game at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert. They will battle against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 4 at 7:30P.M.
