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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – It's been almost three months since LeBron James signed a free agent contract to come to Los Angeles and join the Lakers.
Three months, more than enough time for N.B.A. fans and even the media to prepare.
But it still seemed odd, even bumpy, to see him at the team's training center on Monday, speaking for the first time in front of a group of journalists as a member of his new team, wearing a Lakers uniform in purple and gold affixed. with n ° 23.
It was the day of the media, the official unveiling of James. It was a chance for him to have a little fun if he wished, a chance for him to publicly develop his reasons for leaving Cleveland a second time and joining a team to which he was attached for a long time in rumors. Instead, before a media scramble for signs of deep excitement, hoping for new insight, James played the right moment.
He seated himself at a black table, holding a microphone in his left hand, leaning casually on his chair.
For about 15 minutes, he paid tribute to the history of the Lakers, the 16 N.B.A. of the team. titles and number of greats of all time. (One of them, Magic Johnson, listened attentively to a nearby balcony.) He spoke of joining the process – in fact, he talked a lot about process.
Question: LeBron, as the person who allowed your teams to play eight consecutive Eastern Conference finals, what are your expectations now that you have arrived in the West?
"I'm waiting to try to improve every day," he said, his voice measured. "What I know how to bring to the table, is being committed to excellence every day, from the point of view of the mindset."
Question: Did you come here because of the chance to play sports with the Los Angeles business community?
"My decision was based solely on my family and the Lakers," he said. "I am a basketball player. I play ball, that's what I do. That's what I live, and when I do it at the level that I do it, everything takes care of itself.
Question: At this point in your career, what is the pressure?
"Nothing," James replied. "Nothing," he repeated, followed by a long pause.
There was more of that, but you get the picture.
James left the press conference and fulfilled several designated media engagements – talking on local radio for a while, recording a radio promotion, being interviewed for ESPN.
Dozens of photographers and journalists followed each of his movements. Meanwhile, the other Lakers were sitting for interviews. Additions from veterans, like Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson. The young talent who played for Los Angeles last year: Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart.
Few seemed to notice them. It was James' show, as it will be all season. But none of them seemed bothered. In fact, they seemed to enjoy the chance to play alongside him. Or, in the case of coach Luke Walton, to help a team led by James.
Walton said the narrow tone of his new star was intentional. The practice begins on Tuesday. The regular season begins next month.
"He knows what time it is," said Walton, a former Lakers player who was teammates with Kobe Bryant. "It sets the tone that it's time to work. There is definitely this look that I have already seen.
A reporter asked which player he was referring to.
"Ronny Turiaf," said Walton, referring to the most effervescent and funest actor of the Lakers in 2008, when they lost to the Boston Celtics in the final.
It was the only moment of lightness of the day.
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