Before the Los Angeles Lakers began their training camp on Tuesday, new head coach JJ Redick held a team dinner in Beverly Hills to set the tone for the season ahead. During this dinner, Redick presented the team with their core values and team identity, aiming to unite the players under a common purpose.
Guard Max Christie described the session as a crucial first step in bonding, with the staff providing guidelines and setting expectations. The goal was to create a cohesive team that could work together toward a shared vision and goal throughout the season.
Despite the excitement surrounding the Lakers’ offseason changes, particularly Redick’s arrival as head coach, LeBron James emphasized the importance of tempering expectations. James acknowledged the potential of the team, especially with a strong core including himself, Anthony Davis, and the addition of Redick, but cautioned against prematurely labeling the Lakers as championship contenders.
He stressed that the team’s focus should be on consistent effort and day-to-day improvement rather than trying to meet external expectations. James’ approach centers on a work-in-progress mentality, focusing on building chemistry and preparing for the season one day at a time.
Redick’s coaching philosophy is centered around “efficiency,” both in terms of offense and defense. He expressed his hope that the Lakers would excel in these areas, including how they manage their preparation time. LeBron James, who had minimal interaction with Redick’s system over the summer, praised the first day of training camp for its attention to detail. James noted that he and the team were learning the system together, acknowledging the challenge of adapting on the fly while staying focused on the bigger picture.
In terms of the team’s rotation, Redick revealed that he plans to stick with the same starting five that finished last season strong—LeBron, Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura. However, the coach is still working to solidify the bench and the back end of the roster.
Redick mentioned that several players, including Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Max Christie, and Cam Reddish, will be competing for spots in the nine-man rotation. Christie’s performance stood out during the camp’s first scrimmage, earning praise from both Redick and LeBron for his development and improvement.
Max Christie, a second-round pick from the 2022 NBA Draft, is hoping to make a bigger impact this season after signing a four-year, $32 million contract extension. Christie, who averaged 4.2 points and 2.1 rebounds last season, expressed his determination to prove himself as a reliable contributor.
LeBron James also highlighted Christie’s potential, citing his growth over the summer and his importance to the team’s rotation. Christie himself is focused on putting together a full season of consistent play and making the most of his opportunity to prove his worth as a key part of the Lakers’ future.
