TO CLOSE

SportsPulse: LeBron James made his grand entrance as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and he explained the reasoning behind his decision.
USA TODAY & # 39; HUI

Familiar faces in new places were among the highlights of Monday's media day in the NBA. USA TODAY Sports & # 39; Jeff Zillgitt shares his ideas about what we've learned:

Minnesota coach and basketball president Tom Thibodeau acknowledged Jimmy ButlerTrade application and said, "Our job is to seek the best opportunity for us. "We must do our best for our franchise." He has said repeatedly that Timberwolves would not do a bad job of meeting Butler's request. The sooner Minnesota can come out of the malfunction, the better. …

Having participated in eight consecutive NBA finals, James Lebronknows the distance between Golden State and his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers. …

San Antonio coach Gregg PopovichHis wife died during the playoffs and Popovich was not coaching the rest of the season. He was sincere Monday in his response to those who contacted him during a difficult and emotional time. "It was very, very appreciated, and it was a great help. I want to thank all these people for the magnanimity and kindness, "said Popovich. …

Steve Kerr hired his son, Nick, of San Antonio to be the assistant video coordinator of the warriors. "He stole all the secrets of Pop and he brought back this information. Huge binder full of stuff, "Kerr jokes.

New Golden State Center DeMarcus Cousins, injured Achilles, is not ready for full-speed contact drills, said Warriors general manager Bob Myers. …

Houston forward Carmelo Anthony could be willing to leave coach Mike D'Antoni's bench. …

MORE NBA NEWS

More than one Eastern Conference coach noted James's move from East to West. "Which team will be the face of East now?" Pacers Coach Nate McMillan I said. …

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers gave up talking about basketball and encouraged players to vote in November. "It's more important than ever," he said. "We have to go to vote, we have to register, the black men have to vote, we have to do better, so I talk to my players about it." .

New York Center Kristaps Porzingis He gave no details about his return from ACL surgery, even leaving the possibility that he is missing the 2018-19 season. "Whenever I'm ready, I'll be back," Porzingis said. "I'm getting itchy and I want to be back on the court as soon as possible. But it will only happen when I am 110% and I will be medically allowed. Will he play this season? "It's hard to say," he said. …

Toronto forward Kawhi Leonard spoke, but did not talk much about leaving San Antonio. But he smiled and said he was a "fun guy".

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra says Dywane Wade look for ways to reinvent themselves in their last NBA season. …

Automatic reading

Thumbnails poster

Show captions

Last slide next

Celtics coach Brad Stevens wants his team to improve in an offensive way. Obviously, a healthy Gordon Hayward, who missed 81 games last season, plus the playoffs and Kyrie Irving, who has missed the last 15 games plus the playoffs, will help the Boston offense. In addition, Stevens said Hayward would have the opportunity to be the main ball manipulator and create a more versatile attack. …

Speaking of Irving, he said all the good things about his future with the Celtics. …

Golden State & # 39; s Klay Thompson, like Irving, will be one of the best free agents available next summer. "When guys come into free agency, they look for situations like mine, I'm happy." …

Utah lost to Houston 4-1 in Western Conference semifinals last season and center Rudy Gobert "As a team we will be the best we have been so far." But does that mean that Jazz can beat the Rockets in a playoff series this season?

Washington before Markieff Morris put it brutally: "We just have to go out and play. I'm tired of talking about our list. That's exactly what these Wizards, who lost in the first round of the playoffs, need. Less talk, more efficient. …

James Borrego, Charlotte coach, likes what he sees from Jeremy Lamb and rookie Miles Bridges Tony Parker, who left San Antonio after spending his entire career there, acquired his role as a veteran and backup of Kemba Walker. …

Signing Kevin Love for a long-term extension, the Cavaliers made it clear that they were not interested in refueling after James left. Coach Ty Lue reiterated this Monday. "(Cavs owner) Dan Gilbert is determined to keep a competitive product on the floor that has a chance to win and make the playoffs every year," said Lue. …

San Antonio great man LaMarcus Aldridge said the Spurs will be a better team this season. It seems Leonard could play in the shadows, but Leonard only played nine games last season and the Spurs will have DeMar DeRozan for a full season. The Spurs could indeed be a better team even without Leonard, Manu Ginobili (retired) and Tony Parker (signed with Charlotte). …

Denver has an emerging star on hold Gary Harris. "I think he's one of the top two players in the league," said Mike Malone, Nuggets coach. Malone also wants Harris to become a bigger leader in a team that finished 46-36 and missed the playoffs last season.

Automatic reading

Thumbnails poster

Show captions

Last slide next

Follow Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt