The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for what promises to be an intriguing NBA season under their new head coach, JJ Redick. With the upcoming season, fans are eager to see how the dynamics will unfold, especially with the potential of LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, sharing the court.
A New Era Under JJ Redick
JJ Redick, taking the reins as head coach, faces a unique challenge. While leading a team with high expectations is nothing new in Los Angeles, the prospect of coaching both LeBron James and his son Bronny adds a layer of complexity. "I don't look at it as a challenge. It's unique from any other challenge of coaching a player or coaching a relationship. Bronny, I feel very fortunate that I get to coach him because he's young and he's hungry, and he's got a lot of inherent skillsets that we can really mold into a really good NBA player," Redick remarked.
The Bronny-LeBron Dynamic
Bronny James, who was selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the second round, brings his own excitement to the team. After playing one season at USC, he is expected to spend significant time in the G League. Despite this, the possibility of father and son playing together has already captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike.
Redick noted that discussions about how the team might utilize both players are ongoing. "We obviously have talked about it as a staff and we've gotten into some specifics of what that might look like. But we haven't committed to anything. And obviously, there's a discussion to be had once we're all together with Bronny and LeBron, too. They should be a part of that discussion as well."
Health Updates and Roster Stability
The Lakers largely retain the same roster as last season, a decision that aligns with the organization’s philosophy of building sustainable excellence. General Manager Rob Pelinka emphasized this approach, saying, "I think the philosophy that JJ and I are aligned on is we want to build sustainable Lakers excellence. And I think, when we talk about moves, you can make a move that backfires. I think every GM has made a trade where he says, 'Maybe that one wasn't ideal.' But every lens that we look through has to lead to sustainable Lakers excellence."
Regarding player health, there are both positive updates and ongoing concerns. Gabe Vincent and Jalen-Hood Schifino are reported to be in good health, contributing to the team's depth. However, Jarred Vanderbilt, who underwent procedures on both feet during the offseason, remains a concern. Pelinka expressed optimism about Vanderbilt's availability, stating, "We have a lot of optimism that when the real games start, he'll be available. Between now and then, there is still about a month, and there are a lot of ramp-up steps that need to go well, so hopefully there won't be setbacks."
Season Kickoff
The Lakers' regular season is set to begin on October 22, with the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This match will not only mark the start of a new chapter under Redick's leadership but also LeBron James's 22nd NBA season, an impressive milestone for the 39-year-old veteran.
As training and preseason activities ramp up, the team continues to refine its strategies and build on last season's dynamics. The Lakers' forthcoming campaign is shaping up to be one filled with high expectations and unique storylines, particularly surrounding the potential on-court partnership of one of basketball's greatest stars with his son.
In a lighthearted moment that underscores the competitive nature between father and son, Pelinka shared an anecdote from practice, saying, "[Bronny] got switched onto LeBron, and LeBron took him baseline, up and under off the glass. The words exchanged afterward were probably more challenging than anything else."
LeBron himself gave a nod to the competitiveness, quipping, "Great defense. Better O."
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on the Lakers to see how these elements come together under Redick's coaching. The narrative of Bronny following in his father’s legendary footsteps and potentially sharing the court with him adds a compelling chapter to Lakers history.