LeBron James previews Year 23 in the league, Lakers’ keys to success | NBA on ESPN

LeBron James previews Year 23 in the league, Lakers’ keys to success | NBA on ESPN

Well, congrats on making history. No player in the uh history of the league, 79 years, have ever shown up for 23rd season. Uh how do you feel about that that aspect of you’re the oldest dude to ever do it? Yeah, I mean uh it’s just it’s just super humbling and uh to be able to go out and play the game that I love, be able to do it at this part of my career where I am as far as age and things of that nature and uh so it’s just super cool to be able to, you know, be a part of history. you know, this we have so many, you know, unbelievable, you know, stories and things story lines and things that’s happened in our league to be a part of history. I think it’s just just super cool. As you told all of us reporters, you don’t look all that different. You still look great, but but how do you feel? How do you feel coming into the challenge of 82 games plus a hopeful playoff run? Yeah, for sure. That’s always the challenge. You know, how can I get my body closer to 100%. Obviously coming off the MCL sprain of last year. Obviously, you know, the foot has kind of given me a little problems from time to time throughout the course of the last few seasons. So, that’s always a challenge of seeing how I can get my body, you know, as close to 100% where I can go out and perform at a high level. So, you know, I’m still ramping things back up. I’m not where I want to be, but I mean, I don’t want to be where I want to be right now in September. So, you know, I got some time and I’m looking forward to the process of getting there. How do you think that ramp up will affect your early camp participation potentially the start of the season? Yeah, that’s to be seen. I mean, obviously, you know, I want to be out there as much as I can, as much as I want, but obviously, you know, we know where I’m at and know the coaching staff know where I’m at as far as, you know, me getting to a place where we’re all good, you know, as far as, you know, getting on the court, not being on the court. You know, it’s year 23 for me. I got a lot of miles on my game. Um, I’ve, you know, trained, you know, throughout the course of the offseason. Um, but just my presence is going to be important as well. you know, making sure that even if I’m not on the floor, just I’m always in tune of what we’re doing, so I know uh what’s going on at all times. So, you know, just looking forward to that. You you’re a very accomplished player, but you’re also very attuned to the business of basketball. This is the first time in eight seasons with the Lakers. You’re coming into it where you’re in a contract year. How did that come to be? And do you think that will have any impact on how the season goes for you? No, it will have no impact. You know, I’m super, you know, excited about the challenges and and the the excitement of, you know, our team. you know, we we added some new guys. We got another year under our belt with a new with our coaching staff from last year. Um, got a full year with with with Luca and another year with the guys that I’ve been with. So, um, you know, super excited about that and I’m not worried about contracts things at this bother me at all, you know. Um, you know, super humbled to be even have it, you know, have a contract still, you know, and and be able to play the game that I love still at this part of my career and uh take full advantage of it. You’ve been saying that that retirement’s soon but not necessarily imminent. What are the factors that you’re weighing or going to weigh that would lead you to say, you know what, that’s it. That’s my body of work. I’m done. Yeah. Yeah. For me, it’s just uh am I still excited about the process? You know, do I still get motivated about the process every single year, preparing my body, preparing my mind, uh working on my body, training, things of that nature to get ready for a full season. Um I think once I uh kind of fall out of love with the process, then I’ll know for sure then it’ll probably be the end for me. What would a successful Lakers season look like for you? Yeah, we detailed every day. We have to be detailed and uh the Western Conference is is is a gauntlet. The league is a is tough and we have to be detailed on, you know, everything on all facets of the game, both offensively and defensively. We have to hold each other accountable and uh we got to play championship basketball every single day, you know. And does that result in wins? No. I mean, this is a win. it’s a win or loss season uh you know uh league and you’re not going to win games even when you play well and it’s sometimes where you don’t play well and you still win that’s all a part of the game but we got to pay attention to the details and I think we will do that what can you do to help Luca Donuch become the best version of Luca Donuch this season hold myself accountable go out prepare myself go out on the floor do what I need to do uh you know trust in my keys if there’s a something that needs to be done for me as far as my individual game uh to the team to make it easier on him and vice versa, then that’s what I need to do. That’s that’s part of my job. Will we see some uh team bonding perhaps with you and Austin Ree and JJ Reic on the golf course this year? Is that maybe a new wrinkle that you could find in terms of camaraderie? You will absolutely see that for sure. Now, will we put it out to the public? That’s to be seen, but that will absolutely happen. I got something for you. I was in uh Zambia this summer, right? I was on a dirt road near Mufueer and came across this man wearing a red and black purple and yellow Lakers number 23 LeBron James jersey. So was that like a half Jordan half LeBron jersey? It was it’s all LeBron just happened to be different. But I’m in a remote road in Zambia in Africa and your presence is I’ve never been there before man. and I’ve heard nothing but great things and uh that’s super cool, super humbling to be in this position where I can inspire people all over the world and to wherever that young man is. Uh listen, all love from LeBron here in the States and uh hopefully see you someday, brother. Great. And just one thought for the season ahead. Um what is the thing that you’re going to be trying to soak in the most with the end? We don’t know when it’s going to be, but it’s certainly close. Staying present. staying present, you know, not worried about yesterday and not trying to focus on what the future holds. It’s about staying present. Being here with you talking to you right now is the most important thing. And then after that, wherever I’m going next, staying present. Um because like I said, I don’t know when the end is. So, uh but I know it’s not it’s not as long as The Godfather 2. So, uh I know I got to stay present. All right. Welcome back. Great to see you. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. [Applause] [Music] [Applause]

Dave McMenamin interviews LeBron James at Lakers media day they discuss his preparation for a historic 23rd NBA season.

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