LeBron James is turning in another quality season in Year 23, helping the Los Angeles Lakers stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference.
The Lakers are finally back home after their annual Grammy road trip, going 5-3 and ending on a positive note with a win against the Brooklyn Nets.
James physically looked great on the floor, recapturing his form from last season despite being in Year 23.
With James’ career winding down, he reflected on the long road trip and how much he enjoyed being with his teammates, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“I would look back on it when I’m done playing, if it’s my last, second-to-last, third-to-last game in Cleveland, I’ll remember that moment. Obviously Bronny getting that moment too in Cleveland. Obviously the moment tonight. Being in the Garden is always special, there’s no way to shy away from that. It’s been a great road trip. It’s been cold as hell, I’ll remember that more than anything. But we played some good basketball and for me, to be able to, like I said, enjoy these moments, for [Bronny] to be able to get in a lot of these games and play the way he’s been playing, it’s been pretty cool to me.”
With the trade deadline looming, it can be a nervous time for players but James believes the team actually got closer as a group:
“I mean, listen, at the end of the day, we’re all professionals. We got a job to do, we know what’s going on, no matter what the outside noise is talking about. We come together, we prepare for each and every game and we go out there trying to help each other, so that’s what we’ve been doing.”
LeBron also emphasized that the locker room is close knit and that there are no issues between the players:
“We really like playing together. We like being around one another, so it’s a pretty close group.”
Off-court chemistry is an underrated facet of team success, so it’s encouraging to hear James express how the team has become this season. However, the Lakers will need to also reflect their chemistry on the court if they hope to keep pace with the rest of the playoff contenders.
LeBron James will not be traded before deadline
LeBron James’ future with the Lakers has been a constant question after the two sides didn’t agree to a contract extension this past summer. However, the current expectation is that James will not be traded before the deadline.
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