Well, it’s safe to say that LeBron James is already in mid-season form. Now that James is a member of the Lakers, the entire league is waiting for the historic franchise to return to winning championships. During his first press conference in Los Angeles, James faced many interesting questions about his next chapter. However, James wasn’t exactly appreciative of one particular inquiry. When asked about juggling all the possible distractions in Los Angeles, James shutdown the thought of him prioritizing anything over basketball. LeBron dropped the mic on this reporter ? pic.twitter.com/XnAv2NdQTO — LeBron James Fans (@LeBronTeam) September 24, 2018 James had an emphatic response, saying “How long have you been following me?” For the past eight seasons, James has withstood all the pressure in the world. It’d be foolish to think this year will be any different. Sure, James is going to star in ‘Space Jam 2,’ but he is still focused on winning more rings. Hopefully, Los Angeles reporters understand quickly that James is all-in on taking the Lakers back to their ‘Showtime’ days.<doc-sep>What to Know Wearing a gold No. 23 Los Angeles Lakers jersey, James was the first player to take questions during media day The Lakers have been working out together informally at the club's training complex Along with blending their new additions, the Lakers must adjust to the loss of Julius Randle and Brook Lopez Star free agent signing LeBron James captured the spotlight Monday at media day when most of the NBA's 30 teams' players and coaches answered questions about how they spent their summer vacation and discuss what's ahead. Wearing a gold Los Angeles Lakers jersey, James was the first player to take questions during the Lakers' mid-day news conference. The former Heat and Cavs star joined LA in an off-season blockbuster deal that re-shaped the NBA landscape. "It's just always humbling for me anytime I get the chance to be part of something special," James said Monday. He was asked about his expectations entering his first season in Los Angeles. "My expectation is to get better every single day," James said. "I don't expect nothing. You work for what you want. It's all part of the process." He also was asked about his thoughts on representing another city. "Moving from place to place is something I've become accustomed with," James said. "It's an adjustment my family, myself and my friends will all adjust to because we have each other." Lakers' basketball boss Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka said last week they're 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 club's training complex ahead of the start of training camp Tuesday, and Johnson likes what he sees so far. "Just to see all of them together playing a pickup game, oh my goodness," Johnson said. "It's something to watch. I've watched LeBron from afar. I've 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 everybody's level of play. His basketball IQ and his leadership ability, it's all on display." Lonzo Ball won't be on display in every workout at the start of camp, however. The Lakers' 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. Johnson and Pelinka praised Ball's 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 hasn't made the playoffs since 2013. The Lakers' disparate collection of talent will need plenty of time to gel, but Johnson is already seeing it happen in those scrimmages. "I mean, they are going hard," Johnson said. "It's physical. It's tough. There's trash talking. It's just a lot of fun, and also a lot of teaching at the same time. It's really great to see these young guys getting a chance to learn from champions." 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. "LeBron comes in, and he's already in midseason form and shooting fadeaways and 3-pointers from almost half-court," Johnson said with a broad grin. "And you're sitting there saying, `Man, thank God we signed him."' Along with blending their new additions, the Lakers must adjust to the loss of Julius Randle and Brook Lopez. Johnson and Pelinka aren't worried about filling the space left by the departures of those two big men, believing they've got more than enough height to guard anyone. "We feel we have two players at every position -- a starter and then a backup to that person," Johnson said. Added Pelinka: "A lot of people have said this is one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, and that is an extreme strength to us." Dallas and Philadelphia got their media-day responsibilities out of the way late last week, because they are off to China for preseason games soon. The other 28 teams will have availabilities throughout the day. Golden State will be asked about the quest to win a third straight title. Minnesota will be talking about Karl-Anthony Towns' new super-max $190 million deal and Jimmy Butler's trade demand. And in Miami, Dwyane Wade will hold the final media-day news conference of his career. The 28 teams with media days Monday all open training camp Tuesday.<doc-sep>EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers fans might be dreaming of catching the Golden State Warriors now that LeBron James is wearing purple and gold. Keep on dreaming for now, considering James indicated Monday it’s not going to happen anytime soon. “They can pick up where they left off starting with training camp,’’ James said of the Warriors at the Lakers’ media day. “… We’re picking up from scratch, so we have a long way to go. “We can’t worry about what Golden State is doing. Golden State is Golden State. They’re the champions and they’ve been together for a few years now. We put that to the side. We can only focus on what we could do to get better every day as the Lakers franchise.’’ NBA MEDIA DAY More:Is Carmelo Anthony willing to play a bench role with Rockets? More:Kyrie Irving: 'I believe Boston is the place for me' More:Kawhi Leonard cracks joke in first public comments since trade But James, who has signed a four-year, $154 million contract with the Lakers in July, clearly hopes the team can add a 17th NBA title while he’s on the roster. The Lakers missed the playoffs the past five seasons and have not win a championship since 2010. “Hopefully some day we can put ourselves in position where we can compete for a championship as Golden State has done for the last few years,’’ he said. Follow Peter on Twitter @joshlpeter11<doc-sep>
Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press The Los Angeles Lakers will be one of the most intriguing NBA teams in the 2018-19 season, and that intrigue was on full display as the organization held its media day on Monday. As expected, all eyes were on their superstar offseason acquisition, LeBron James, and the young guns he's joining in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma. Without question, joining a new team—especially one with a young core—will represent a new challenge for James. But the four-time MVP and three-time champion seems excited for those challenges. "Tomorrow is like the first day of school for me. You know what to expect, but at the same time, you don't know what to expect," he said, per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press. "I look forward to seeing how I can work, and how we can all work together." "We've got a long way to go to get to Golden State," he also noted. "They can pick up right where they left off ... We're picking up from scratch, so we've got a long way to go. Hopefully [someday] we can put ourselves in position to compete for a championship as Golden State has done." As for fitting in with the team's young guns, however, James doesn't envision any issues: And pressure? There's no such thing for LeBron: James was the headliner, but he wasn't the only member of the organization to take the mic. Head coach Luke Walton, for instance, was pleased with how his young players are progressing: Ball, meanwhile, provided an update on what he was able to work on during the summer: Ingram shared an anecdote from when he learned James was signing with LA, telling reporters he texted him to welcome him to the squad. "I just told him I was ready to work, basically," Ingram said, per Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell. The Lakers have an interesting mix of battled-tested veterans and younger players, a topic a few players touched on throughout the day: Then there was Lance Stephenson, who infamously blew in James' ear during a playoff game in an ill-fated attempt to get in the star's head. Stephenson addressed the elephant in the room on Monday: There is a buzz around this Lakers team, for obvious reasons, and it's pretty clear the team is embracing it. It's been a while since the Lakers had a title contender, and while they are a few pieces away from being one this season, James and the team's young core should be able to engineer a playoff run. Anything less would be a disappointment. For many players, that would create a level of pressure. But not James. For him, the highest expectations are the norm, and he's consistently surpassed them. In that regard, eventually leading this Lakers team to a title in the coming years is simply the latest challenge to overcome. And everyone in the organization seems excited for the first steps in that process.