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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – While he was heading for the podium setup at the Los Angeles Lakers' chic coaching center, general manager Rob Pelinka was grabbing a book under his arm
However, it was not any book. This is not a coincidence.
For Pelinka, "The Alchemist", written by the author Paulo Coehlo, symbolized a convergence of things and people, which is why he was speaking today.
LeBron James signed on the dotted line Monday, finalizing a transition to the next stage of his life with a $ 154 million four-year contract. With his signature, the front office of the Lakers enters the next stage of the progression of the franchise
. James' decision is the culmination of decisions made by the Lakers, Pelinka and President of Earvin's basketball operations "Magic" Johnson. Now these decisions – as well as a team of "hard" teammates support – have paved the way for what has always been the ultimate goal. "19659006" We play for one thing in Los Angeles, "said Pelinka with six Larry O Brien's trophies shine in the backdrop." We're playing for NBA titles. "
For the hard point of teammates, Pelinka understood why many would oppose the Lakers signatures of Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee.These are atypical pieces, especially with regard to the lists with which James played in the past.
Yet Pelinka said that there was a separate strategy to the decisions.The strategy involved an allusion to "northern guys", as Pelinka called the two-time NBA defending champion, Golden State Warriors. 19659008] "Earvin and I had a conversation and LeBron echoed this feeling: trying to thwart the Warriors at their own game is a trap," Pelinka said. "So, that's why we wanted to add these elements of defense and robustness and depth."
The Cleveland Cavaliers team last year did not have much toughness or depth. That's one of the reasons James chose to sign with the Lakers – which brings us back to "The Alchemist".
During the 2018 NBA playoffs, LeBron James carried the book with him. Pelinka could relate. A five-time NBA champion and Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant gave the book to Pelinka when Pelinka accepted the position of General Manager of the Lakers.
"He said:" Hey, you're going to make an interesting trip "Pelinka reminded Bryant saying. "Why do not you read it?"
Then he did it.
And at the time, he was attracted by a particular quote from the book: "But the boy was able to understand one thing: to make a decision was only the beginning of things. One makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will take him to places he never dreamed of when he made the decision. "
The decisions that Pelinka and Johnson have made since They took their job as general manager and president of basketball operations, respectively, have driven to this day. Both began under the command of Jeanie Buss, co-owner of the Lakers. Immediately, they faced a difficult task. The Lakers do not have a lot of ceiling space. They did not have many choices in the repechage
"[Earvin and I] looked at each other and said," We have to do something about it, "said Pelinka," We need to start playing chess. "[19659016TheyexchangedplayerstocreateaceilingspaceandcompileddraftpicksthatturnedintoplayerslikeLonzoBallKyleKuzmaandBrandonIngramWhenweighinghisoptionsJameswasfascinatedbytheLakers'youthaccordingtoPelinka
"I keep thinking that it's going to add fuel to his rocket pack," said Pelinka
<p class = "canvas-atom" canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm "type =" text "content =" James, who was already posting videos after the holidays of his training morning remains motivated There are some days, Pelinka went to meet James and agent Rich Paul to sign the contract, but he was struck by the speed to which James was recovering. data-reactid = "42"> James, who has already published videos after the holidays of his morning training sessions remains motivated. A few days ago, Pelinka led to the meeting of James and agent Rich Paul to sign the contract. Even then, he was struck by the speed with which James began to do things again.
"Every moment you're around someone's achievements is hard-hitting," Pelinka said. "It was all about it, it was," Hey, we're the Lakers now, we're not celebrating list additions, we're celebrating one thing. "
Oh yes, the NBA championships [19659020] Pelinka often mentioned them in his press conference of nearly 30 minutes, and in the end he expressed his gratitude for the events that took shape and said, "Soli Deo Gloria", a Latin term for "Glory to God alone. "He then picked up" The Alchemist "and walked into the backdrop.] His eyes were fixed on the trophies
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