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PORTLAND, Ore. – As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to play their first game since the announcement of coach Luke Walton's animated meeting with Magic Johnson's basketball team president, LeBron James said his goal – and that of his team – remained win-win.
"It does not bother me at all because I do not pay attention to it, I do not listen to it," said James Saturday before the Lakers game against the Portland Trail Blazers, about the ambient noise . his team one day after ESPN revealed details of the meeting at which Johnson criticized Walton for his decisions made early in the season.
"In fact, it never really comes to me, so it's not that bad for us," James continued. "We need to find a way to put together very good games, even good games, and make sure that our total earnings are the same as today because that's the job we're in. That's the only thing we want to do – be the best team possible and win baseball games. "
LA opened the season in Portland just over two weeks ago and since then has started on a 0-3 record, winning two straight and losing two in a row, which has motivated the Johnson-Walton session after seven games. .
The Lakers narrowly won their eighth game 114-113 against struggles Dallas Mavericks Wednesday, temporarily easing the pressure for a team that expects to win as soon as possible from Johnson and the team's leadership.
Although a record of 3 to 5 does not live up to the standard of the championship, James has also cited the growth of his group since the opening night.
"We are still at the very beginning," said James. "But we are a lot more a unit today than we were two weeks ago, so I think we will be even better in two weeks and two weeks.
"I think every game, every road trip, every movie session, every day we're together will continue to get more and more familiar with each other – you just need to get to know each other and know what to expect. each other, how to challenge each other ".
Portland, meanwhile, has the West's third best record at 6-2 and has won three straight games with Damian Lillard leading the standings, averaging 29.1 points per game, the second best league total.
"In my opinion, Portland is playing as well as anyone in the league," said Walton at Saturday's shootaround. "Their second unit is really causing problems for people, and they have two great farmers, so it's going to be a big challenge.
"The comparison to the first game of the season will be good … there will be some information obtained."
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