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Dave McMenamin, ESPN Employees Author
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Earlier than the Los Angeles Lakers opened coaching camp for his or her first follow Tuesday, new coach JJ Redick gathered the gamers for a dinner in Beverly Hills to debate the identification they’ll try and forge.
“It was type of the primary time that all of us actually received collectively as a staff in a single setting,” Lakers guard Max Christie stated. “JJ and the workers had a giant presentation for us about type of like staff values, floor guidelines … so we are able to type of wrap all people round an identification that we wish to have as a staff so we’re one coherent unit.”
LeBron James did his greatest to protect his staff from any untimely pressures that would include optimism surrounding Redick’s addition. In any case, it stands to motive that with how efficient James and Anthony Davis regarded on the Olympics, the Lakers returning a core roster that made it to the convention finals two seasons in the past and including a brand new coach, they might be thought of contenders. However that label may solely enlarge any early-season rising pains the staff may expertise.
“I haven’t got any expectations,” James stated. “And that is unfair to place any expectations on us proper now. The one factor that we are able to rely on one another is how we come to follow and are available to work each day.”
Redick, who instructed ESPN on Monday that he hopes the calling card for his staff is “effectivity” — the place it ranks in offensive and defensive effectivity and the way environment friendly it’s with its preparation time — acquired an endorsement from his star for the way Day 1 went.
“Nice first day,” James stated. “It was very element oriented.”
James stated that he did not spend a lot time with Redick going over the coach’s new system through the summer time, aside from texting sometimes, so he is choosing it up as they go identical to his teammates.
“It is a collision course for all of us,” James stated. “We’re all studying on the fly.”
Redick, who introduced earlier than camp that he would use the identical beginning group of James, Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura that completed the final common season by going 18-6, is studying what the again finish of his rotation will appear to be.
Redick instructed reporters Tuesday he plans to make use of a nine-man rotation, which means there shall be loads of competitors in camp for the 4 spots past his starters.
“I believe past the plain guys, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt when he will get wholesome, Jaxson Hayes, Max [Christie], Cam [Reddish], Jalen [Hood-Schifino], I do know I am forgetting somebody,” Redick stated. “There’s a variety of guys which can be going to compete for spots.”
Of that blend of gamers, Redick stated that Christie received time throughout Tuesday’s scrimmage taking part in with members of the beginning group and stood out. In the meantime, Vanderbilt continues to rehab offseason procedures on each toes, and Reddish was held out of the 5-on-5 portion of follow due to soreness, in keeping with the staff.
“Christie is a man who’s earned our teaching workers’s belief over the past two months,” Redick stated.
James additionally had reward for the Lakers group for re-signing the third-year wing participant to a four-year, $32 million contract.
“I believe Max shall be a giant a part of our rotation,” James stated. “He is gotten higher and higher and I am pleased we have been capable of carry him again within the summertime. I look ahead to a brilliant season from him.”
Christie, drafted by the Lakers with the thirty fifth choose within the second spherical of the 2022 draft, averaged 4.2 factors and a pair of.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per sport final season.
“I believe for me it is type of simply proving myself once more,” Christie stated. “I have never confirmed an excessive amount of as a participant on this league. I’ve had spurts and sporadic moments the place I have been actually good, however I wish to put a complete season collectively. Hopefully I get the chance to try this this yr.”
