Los Angeles Lakers Training Session Highlights
The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to see the potential impact of newcomer Marcus Smart as they held their initial training session of the week. Having faced challenges with Achilles tendinopathy throughout the training camp, Smart participated significantly during Tuesday’s practice, according to head coach JJ Redick, who noted that Smart was involved in most drills and even took part in some live play.
Star Players Focus on Individual Workouts
In contrast, star players LeBron James and Luka Doncic, along with teammates Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent who are dealing with their respective injuries, mostly engaged in individualized workouts. Redick expressed his satisfaction with Smart’s performance, saying,
“He was awesome. Given the intensity of today’s practice, I was impressed with how he maintained his energy levels.”
Smart’s Defensive Reputation
Smart, who earned the title of NBA Defensive Player of the Year during the 2021-22 season with the Boston Celtics, has a well-established reputation as one of the league’s elite defenders, making the All-Defensive first team thrice — in 2019, 2020, and 2022. His defensive skills could prove crucial for the Lakers as they prepare for the upcoming season, and the team got a taste of his impact during practice.
Teammates Praise Smart’s Impact
Teammate Austin Reaves commented,
“He guarded me at the beginning of practice, and you can definitely feel the pressure from him. His defensive intensity is something we need, and we’re counting on him to be at his best. His experience and communication on the court can help us tremendously.”
After being bought out by the Washington Wizards, Smart was courted by Doncic and eventually committed to the Lakers on a two-year, $11 million deal. After Tuesday’s practice, Jarred Vanderbilt noted,
“He looked great… His vocal presence is vital; he can really guide us on defense. He’s capable of excelling in both physicality and communication, which is key in our strategies.”
Defensive Synergy and Team Dynamics
Vanderbilt, known for his defensive versatility, enthusiastically imagined what their defense would be like together:
“We will create chaos. With both of us on the court, we can set the tone for the defense vocally and physically, and I can’t wait to share the floor with him.”
Lighthearted Moments and Speculations
In a lighter moment during the practice, Redick and the Lakers were quizzed about James’ vague social media post referencing “#TheSecondDecision.” It sparked concerns among fans about his future in basketball. However, Redick clarified that it was merely an ad for Hennessy, humorously dismissing the speculation, stating,
“We all knew it was an ad, right?”
Reaves and teammate Rui Hachimura exchanged laughs over the confusion, with Hachimura admitting he reached out to James for clarification about the enigmatic post.
“I got a few texts about it, but I texted him too. He was using some strange emoji that had me baffled. He loves keeping us guessing and surprising us,”
Hachimura said.
Looking Ahead
As the Lakers look ahead to the new season, the addition of Smart could significantly bolster their defensive capabilities, something the team seems eager to leverage.
