LeBron James gets honest about Lakers not being at ‘championship level’ under JJ Redick
LeBron James expressed his caution at the Los Angeles Lakers being championship contenders under JJ Redick following major trade.
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LeBron James makes feelings clear on JJ Redick and Lakers championship chances
LeBron James rang in his 40th birthday with a significant roster shake-up for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team acquired Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets, signaling their intent to strengthen the rotation for a potential playoff push. However, James remains cautious about the team’s championship prospects
During an interview following a Lakers practice session, LeBron James spoke at length about the current state of the team following their major roster moves. Waving a cautionary eye, James shared his honest assessment of the Lakers’ current standing stating that while the additions are promising, the Lakers aren’t at a title-contending level yet.
Are we at a championship level? Can we win a championship right now? No, I don’t think so. But that’s good because we have a lot more room to improve. We just added two new guys in DoeDoe (Dorian Finney-Smith) and Shake. We’ll see how we incorporate those guys. It’s going to be fun. Happy they’re there.
LeBron James said
LeBron spoke to the media on his 40th birthday to discuss the difficulty of being successful in the league as he gets older, turning 40, Bronny's strong play in the G-League, and new additions Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. pic.twitter.com/7XHilqQJg8
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 31, 2024
James’ comments certainly attest to his leadership and understanding of the game. Acknowledging the Lakers current limitations, he praised the front office for making proactive moves with the current roster. However, with the Lakers are still finding their way under new HC JJ Redick, James subtly hinted that more changes may be necessary for the roster.
For now, LeBron James’ primary focus will remain on building up the Lakers towards a deep playoff run after an early exit last season. The Lakers’ recent trades demonstrate their willingness to invest in the present, even at the cost of future assets. By parting with second-round picks projected to convey years down the line, the Lakers are signaling that their focus remains on maximizing James’ final seasons.
LeBron James reveals how long he has left in the NBA
As he celebrated his milestone birthday, LeBron James also reflected on his storied career and his future in the league. Speaking candidly, he admitted that while he could theoretically play for another five to seven years, he doesn’t intend to extend his career that far. Instead, James emphasized his desire to enjoy his remaining time in the NBA, potentially retiring as a Los Angeles Laker.
“To just wake up and just be like, ‘Oh shoot, oh damn, you’re 40?’ It’s kind of laughable. If I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for about another five to seven years. But I’m not going to do that. I would miss the hell out of (basketball), for sure. But no, I won’t walk away and come back.
LeBron James said at a Lakers practice session
James entered the NBA at just 18 years old, and his unparalleled 22-year career is a testament to his dominance and longevity. While he has consistently defied Father Time, he’s also been transparent about his goals, stating that his priority is to win another championship, possibly alongside his son, Bronny James, who was drafted by the Lakers this season.
Under JJ Redick’s coaching, the Lakers have maintained a competitive 18-13 record, largely due to LeBron James’ leadership and the team’s defensive upgrades. Finney-Smith and Milton bring valuable 3-and-D skills, addressing key weaknesses in the rotation.
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Armaan Gupta
(420 Articles Published)