Los Angeles Lakers Training Camp Highlights
The Los Angeles Lakers are diving deep into their training camp, emphasizing conditioning under the guidance of second-year head coach JJ Redick. On the third day of camp, Redick led his team through intense full-court sprints, a practice that he acknowledged may not have won him any favor among the players.
“I don’t know if they like me right now,”
he remarked, as players struggled to catch their breath after a grueling session designed to prepare them for the upcoming season.
Focus on Championship Shape
Redick’s focus on getting his players into “championship shape” reflects the frustrations of last season where the Lakers, despite a successful 50-win record, experienced a swift playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Inspired by this reality, Redick has implemented rigorous drills that serve as a reminder of the importance of both physical and mental readiness. Superstar Luka Doncic, who notably overhauled his fitness regime this summer, echoed this sentiment.
“It’s not just physical shape; it’s mental shape too,”
Doncic explained.
“We’re doing it in practice, and everybody’s in great shape. Everyone is running a lot, so it’s been great so far.”
Intense Drills and Team Camaraderie
The drills are designed to push the players to their limits, with assignments such as sprinting six lengths of the court in 34 seconds followed by a short break, then increasing to ten lengths in 60 seconds. To add to the camaraderie, Redick joined in for the final sprint. He humorously noted,
“I just ran the last six, and I’m good [not running anymore for the day].”
Injury Updates and Team Unity
This push for heightened performance comes at a pivotal time, as the Lakers gear up to face the Phoenix Suns in their preseason opener this Friday in Palm Desert, California. However, not all players are participating in the rigorous training; LeBron James is sidelined with nerve irritation in his glute, rookie Adou Thiero is dealing with knee swelling, and Marcus Smart is battling Achilles tendinopathy. Additionally, Maxi Kleber is expected to miss a few days due to a quad injury sustained on the first day of camp.
Despite the demanding nature of the camp, Lakers guard Gabe Vincent emphasized the team unity fostered by these strenuous exercises.
“I told JJ about a week or two ago, I said, ‘If we all hate you, but we all hate you collectively, that’s great,'”
Vincent shared, acknowledging the shared struggle and commitment towards achieving collective goals. Redick plans to manage player workloads carefully, particularly paying attention to Doncic and teammate Austin Reaves, as both have exerted themselves significantly during practices.
Looking Ahead
By prioritizing shape and conditioning, the Lakers are setting the stage for what they hope will be a more successful season ahead, one where they can not only bounce back from last year’s early playoff exit but also build on their past accomplishments.
