{"id":55860,"date":"2023-10-03T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=55860"},"modified":"2023-10-03T23:23:50","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T03:23:50","slug":"four-key-takeaways-from-lakers-media-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/10\/03\/four-key-takeaways-from-lakers-media-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Key Takeaways From Lakers Media Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Lakers held their Media Day on Monday, entering a new, energized season following the team’s Western Conference Finals exit. Though last year’s performance exceeded expectations, this year’s team has its sights set on something bigger: bringing home banner #18.<\/span><\/p>\n

Four Key Takeaways From Lakers Media Day<\/b><\/h2>\n

1. Championship Mindset<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Lakers are no strangers to winning, and this year\u2019s group\u2014spearheaded by <\/span>LeBron James<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Anthony Davis<\/b><\/a> and Head Coach Darvin Ham\u2014is more than ready for their next opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere’s no mistake about what our goal is, but you can’t talk about and constantly focus on the destination without first embarking on the journey,\u201d <\/span>Ham said<\/span><\/a>. \u201cWe can\u2019t skip any steps. The work we put in every day is going to take us to where we need to get to. The short-term responsibilities, work, [and] continuity is going to create the long-term success we\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Returning Players\u2019 Perspective<\/b><\/h4>\n

The Lakers prioritized continuity heading into the summer and got it, re-signing the majority of last season\u2019s core to new contracts and extensions. The players recognize what\u2019s at stake, and are hungry to take advantage from the jump.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t put pressure on ourselves,\u201d Davis said. \u201cWe go out and compete at the highest level\u2026We do what we\u2019re supposed to do and get 1% better every day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time since the 2020 run that we\u2019re returning a team,\u201d James said. \u201cI\u2019m excited about us returning our core and bringing in a lot of very, very, very good players\u2026but it takes work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Davis noted that such continuity has brought the team a step ahead heading into training camp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Anthony Davis says that the Lakers\u2019 commitment to continuity – bringing back the core of last season\u2019s WCF team, minus Dennis Schroder – makes him feel like the team has a \u201chead start\u201d on this season<\/p>\n

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n