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EL SEGUNDO, Calif .– As exhausted as LeBron James appeared after day two of Los Angeles Lakers training camp – slumped into a chair in the interview room, sneakers unlaced and sweat dripping from his forehead – the Lakers star explained on Thursday that it was actually a sign of fire rather than fatigue.
After opening camp last season less than two months after the LA Championship in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Fla., The team has apparently been exhausted from the start. But this year, with the Lakers resuming almost four months after their first-round loss in the playoffs to the Phoenix Suns, taking away 11 new players and giving themselves another shot at winning the No.18 franchise title, things are different.
“Just the energy,” James said when asked what had changed. “Last year, after coming out of the bubble, it literally took everything away from you. Any little bit of energy you had, it was all gone when we left there.… To get back into the season with it. the quick start we got, the party life was kinda, just like, it was just kinda stale. You know, rightly so. The guys just didn’t get a chance to make a mental break.
“You could definitely feel the energy change a lot more this season in the first two practices compared to the last.”
With former MVP Russell Westbrook added to the fold as the centerpiece of the group of accomplished veterans that LA has picked up by completely overhauling its roster, the added excitement has also meant additional interactions for James, barking calls and instructions to his new group.
“Obviously you can tell I’ve been screaming the last few days, just trying to put everything through to it,” James said, his voice clearly hoarse. “My voice deteriorates over the minutes, but it’s a good thing.”
Lakers coach Frank Vogel has hailed James’ presence as the 36-year-old star enters his 19th season.
“It sets the tone for attention,” Vogel said. “Hang on to every word the coaches say and make sure he gets it, performs it at the right level. I think that sets the tone for the rest of the guys by absorbing what we’re trying to get them to understand. It starts there …
“If there’s one detail that needs to be cleaned up he’s also very vocal in these situations. But I think his voice is hoarse it’s because of the intensity of training today. . at the start of training camp seeing guys playing that hard and that physique is a good sign with the talent that we have. “
James called on newcomers Kendrick Nunn, Kent Bazemore and DeAndre Jordan for their good start at camp. Lakers goaltender Rajon Rondo also praised Carmelo Anthony, saying: “I don’t think Melo has missed since being a Laker.”
And Rondo also showed appreciation for James.
“That’s what greatness is,” Rondo said. “Every team he’s been on has been at the top. When a guy like that sets the tone, everyone has to follow, lock in and try to do the same.”
So if James seems tired when he leaves the gym during training camp, it’s only because of the time he’s spending there.
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