The NFL preseason is like an extended training camp for the regular season. This year, there are a lot of things to learn about your team and the game itself. And if you’re not careful, you could be out of a job come September.
Preseason games aren’t held in high regard by many basketball fans, if at all. Teams seem to utilize them to assist younger players adjust to the NBA’s fast pace, but the league’s superstars appear to use them rarely, mostly to acquire a feel for their new colleagues while still attempting to remain in rhythm. When it comes to LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, it seems that he, too, places little value on preseason play.
LeBron James Played In His First Preseason Game With The Lakers in 2023-22.
Fans and analysts expect the Lakers to compete for a title this season, but their 0-4 preseason record suggests otherwise.
James did not appear in either of the team’s first two games, but he did participate in the third game against the Golden State Warriors, although not at his best. In 18 minutes, the King scored nine points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field and 0-of-3 from 3-point range. The Warriors won by a score of 121-114.
Dwight Howard led the club in scoring with 23 points and 12 rebounds, and the Lakers didn’t play the game as they would in a regular-season game. However, it was beneficial to younger players such as Talen Horton-Tucker, who scored 17 points.
After the game, James discussed his impressions on the preseason.
LeBron James Spoke Out About His Views On The Preseason.
On Oct. 8, 2023, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on as the Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Lakers. | Getty Images/Thearon W. Henderson
After the game, James spoke about how he feels about preseason activity, and although he understands its significance, he doesn’t seem to gain much from it.
“The preseason is… According to USA Today’s LeBron Wire, he stated, “I care more about the practice court than I do about the preseason games.” “You go out there, you play rotations, they’re trying to figure it out, and stuff like that, so there’s a lot you can gain out of a preseason game, at least for me.”
However, I like our practices; I enjoy seeing what we’re up to and continuing to work behind closed doors. So, to be honest, I don’t put too much effort into the preseason.”
After that, James emphasized that the preseason is essential for certain players, but not for him.
“It indicates that people are getting into their stride and getting into game condition.” We have our sessions, but getting out on the court, banging into another team, and stuff like that helps,” James stated, according to LeBron Wire.
“All I’m saying is, at this stage in my career, there’s nothing I’m going to learn in preseason, nothing at all.” I’m not going to learn anything at all. On the court, we’re working on our routines and developing camaraderie and chemistry, which is always a positive thing.”
The Practice Court Will Be Used By LeBron James And The Lakers to Create a Contender.
Given the amount of preseason minutes James and his other Big Three players, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, play, those games will only go so far in helping LA win a title.
Practice, on the other hand, is where they’ll have the best opportunity of becoming a championship challenger.
“I prefer preseason sessions to preseason games because you can make errors and correct them right away.” “You can pause it and speak about it and stuff like that, and then go back and replay,”
James added, according to LeBron Wire. “Of course, you can do it the following day after the preseason game, but you could do it on the spot during sessions.” So, at this time, I’m more likely to appreciate them because there’s nothing on the floor that I’m going to discover for myself personally.”
The Lakers will need to practice a lot this season since they have so many different players on their roster. Once they’ve played 60 games, the preseason won’t matter much.
Overall, the Lakers’ Big Three plus the players that surround them, like Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Nunn, Malik Monk, and others, make up one of the most skilled teams in NBA history. And it will be up to head coach Frank Vogel to bring it all together during practice time.
This season, LeBron James and the Lakers have a chance to create history. You can’t blame him for not placing too much value in preseason games because of their lack of significance and his limited playing time.
ESPN provided the statistics.
