This article is by Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne, two eminent NBA reporters. Windhorst was boggled speechless when informed L.A. had signed Rajon Rondo. Now, it is beginning to make sense to him. Where did you not read these sentiments first? Oh, that's right, here.
...the Lakers are indeed attempting to chart a new course for James' Lakers future, one that is vastly different from the style of basketball he played with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"Unlike most free agents changing teams, LeBron is arriving with the Lakers as an all-time great," a source close to James said. "He doesn't have pressure to prove anything...
...
Cleveland...prioritized shooters and offense-minded players ahead of defenders...This became a liability at times, particularly against the juggernaut Warriors.
What [Magic] Johnson pitched to James was a team stocked with tough-minded playmakers like Stephenson and Rondo who could free up James to finish in the lanes and from the post, rather than having to create the lion's share of the offense himself. Rondo and Stephenson are also defensively versatile...
"I know some people are rolling their eyes, but I like what the Lakers have done," a rival Western Conference executive said. "You can find shooters. They've taken some in the last few drafts. Playmakers matter and are harder to find."
...
The other key to this new vision for James and the Lakers is a recognition that his game will need to change as he ages over the next four years.
James, who will turn 34 in December, had studied the careers of all-time greats such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan and noted how they moved from the wing to the post as they approached their mid-30s.
...
James knows playing more inside and yielding some control of the ball is important as he ages and his athleticism starts to fade.
...
...James is absolutely on board with these unexpected transactions as hints of a rather different-looking No. 23 emerge for next season.
...the Lakers are indeed attempting to chart a new course for James' Lakers future, one that is vastly different from the style of basketball he played with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"Unlike most free agents changing teams, LeBron is arriving with the Lakers as an all-time great," a source close to James said. "He doesn't have pressure to prove anything...
...
Cleveland...prioritized shooters and offense-minded players ahead of defenders...This became a liability at times, particularly against the juggernaut Warriors.
What [Magic] Johnson pitched to James was a team stocked with tough-minded playmakers like Stephenson and Rondo who could free up James to finish in the lanes and from the post, rather than having to create the lion's share of the offense himself. Rondo and Stephenson are also defensively versatile...
"I know some people are rolling their eyes, but I like what the Lakers have done," a rival Western Conference executive said. "You can find shooters. They've taken some in the last few drafts. Playmakers matter and are harder to find."
...
The other key to this new vision for James and the Lakers is a recognition that his game will need to change as he ages over the next four years.
James, who will turn 34 in December, had studied the careers of all-time greats such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan and noted how they moved from the wing to the post as they approached their mid-30s.
...
James knows playing more inside and yielding some control of the ball is important as he ages and his athleticism starts to fade.
...
...James is absolutely on board with these unexpected transactions as hints of a rather different-looking No. 23 emerge for next season.
