No Lakers Minicamp Scheduled. Is this a Bad Sign for a Strong Start to the Season?

The Lakers, as everyone knows by now, didn't do much to improve themselves in the offseason. They didn't get worse, but they didn't get any better, either.
The hope is internal improvement-from players like Max Christie and Austin Reaves, better health from Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, better coaching from JJ Redick-will be enough to elevate them past last year's 47 wins and at the least, make them look like a potential contender if Rob Pelinka can make a move. But part of playing all the way to their ceiling is the idea of getting off to a hot start.
Many teams will stage a minicamp before official traning camps open. Run by players, they help build spirit and cohesion. The Lakers have done this a bunch of times in the LeBron Era... but won't this year. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both back in LA and working out, but presumably the offseason work with Team USA threw off a normal summer enough where this wasn't going to happen. Does it mean Davis and James will take it easy through camp? Are they going to ease into the season?
It's a tough balance. The Lakers need them both to be fresh for the playoffs to have a chance to advance. They also need them to win games in the regular season, in order to make those playoffs. The schedule, as noted, is torture. The Lakers need to be operating at as high a level as possible exiting the preseason. They know their teammates, but not the staff of the scheme.
It's a tricky spot!
All together, it's one reason the eggheads (or egghead, at least) at ESPN (Kevin Pelton in this case) believes the Lakers are a likely candidate to take a step back in wins this year. There is the normal concern about the health of James and Davis, who seemed to defy the odds (or at least recent seasons) by playing a ton of games last year. Can they do it again? It also notes the Lakers were unusually successful in close games. That's a number that tends to regress year to year, since it's often luck-based.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: No minicamp ... is that a bad sign?
SEGMENT 2: How can the Lakers balance a lot of competing forces?
SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers likely to take a step back this year?
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#Lakers #LosAngelesLakers #LebronJames #AnthonyDavis #NBA

[@AdalbertJimenezPortento]

LET'S GO LAKERS WIN 🏆 💪 💥 💥 💥 🔥 🔥 🔥 ❤🎉😮

[@theguru6744]

I have been a Lakers fan since the Jerry West days, what I seen over the last few years is the Lakers have talent but lacked structure! I believe JJ sees this and will address it. Darvin Ham lacked structure that's why Malone ate him for lunch. AD and Lebron knew this that's why AD made those comments. If the Lakers are healthy I expect them at minimum conf finals. Don't be surprised if Dlo elevates his game this season, when your back is against the wall like Dlo I expect him to rise to the occasion

[@trevorwinn5012]

Amen !

[@deandrepage1048]

Lakers don’t have the NBA Playoff-tested players at both guard positions that could put pressure on the defense. Too many players with 3 years previous NBA experience or less.

[@OneOfAKindTwentyThree]

I agree man I’m not saying JJ is gonna save us and we win a chip but I feel like JJ can turn this around!I do podcast on Lakers finna hit 28K

[@deandrepage1048]

A blatant disregard for the defensive side of the ball. A below-average 1-on-1 defender at ALL 3 perimeter positions: Hachimura Reaves D’Angelo

[@aaronwimbish9382]

A mini camp without the coaches don’t help

[@jamiethorpe5431]

Um they had summer camps in the past and still started slow…

[@haruslim7846]

The Lakers core's been together 3 seasons, mini camps haven't consistently gotten the Lakers off to a fast start yet. LBJ and A.D. are still in rhythm from the Olympics. The West is tough, but key players missed a lot of time last year. The Lakers are much better than their current ranking. New coaching, Off and Def schemes, new lineup variations from JJ should catch teams off guard.

[@deandrepage1048]

Player movement without the ball around off the ball screens TYPE 3-POINT SHOOTING. Can’t stand in 1 spot for excessive “random offense” like under Coach Ham

[@Kad2323]

This whole "ramp up" conversation is an overrated topic. As long as AD and lebron are healthy, they will play, and they will be elite. If that fails to result in winning early, it will be because of lack of 2 way talent around them. and lack of depth. that's on the front office. the front offices messaging and non action this offseason has been clear. they are prioritizing development for the future. So Preemptively blaming a potential slow start on players for participating in the Olympics is wild, considering all the other issues that could lead to a slow start. Like having a new rookie coach, vando/wood still not healthy, and acclimating max christie and gabe to bigger roles

[@OneOfAKindTwentyThree]

@@Kad2323 facts ik AD/LBJ will be ready I wonder if the other guys do AR Rui etc will be ready and help AD/LBJ Dlo is good for the season just needs to stay consistent/do better in playoffs Rui needs to rebound more and AR needs to get better his shooting from what I’ve seen can be better

[@LockedOnLakers]

We didn't actually blame any slow start on the Olympics, if for no other reason than there's been no actual start, much less a slow one. Nor did either of us even predict the team would get off to a slow start. What we (or at least *I*) said was that easing LeBron and AD into the season over concerns of having played in the Olympics is a non-starter, IMO, because it's not practical. The West is too tough. The point being, the Lakers can't knowingly sacrifice early season wins with a bigger-picture goal of preserving AD and (most particularly) LeBron because their offseasons weren't rest-heavy. There are some who feel the Lakers will/should do this. I strongly disagree. The Lakers obviously need to be smart with LeBron's overall health and management, given his age. But if they have to be too careful, then trying to compete for a title with LeBron likely isn't possible, because the regular season plays too big a role in setting up teams in the West for the best possible playoff run. Appreciate you watching. AK

[@robertwilliams-np6wb]

The James led Lakers have been having the players mini camp in the past. Team building and getting to know what Lebron expects for the year. This year the preseason is all about the New Coach. Maybe James canceled to give Coach JJ his respect. Half the team has been working out in South Bay, at least a month. Question: JJ has said in the past that "it's all about the Math" in his philosophy about shooting three's. Coach, what is the 3PT shot count going to look like on a game-to-game basis. Coach, do you have a minimum number of shots per game in Mind? Boston shot 40 per game Lakers were under 30 per game last season.

[@ericmendenhall2867]

Aint no party like a Diddy party! - Lebron James

[@deandrepage1048]

Roster construction like Lebron James and Anthony Davis have both left the team. In Rebuild Mode now

[@steveg9941]

Lakers are play in team for the playoffs at best. Same as it has been the last few years. Can't have two players taking up the majority of the salary cap. Like AD & LBJ are and field a competitive team. I'm just calling a spade a spade. History also proves this to be a fact!!!

[@Mandozen]

It’s been over a month since the Olympics ended. I guess it’s okay if AD and Lebron continue to rest during the minicamp, but how about the other players? Especially the previously injured players that are healthy now and also the rookies.

[@LockedOnLakers]

It would be pretty unheard of for a team to conduct a players-only camp without their two biggest leaders and most important players. From a tone and also on-court standpoint (how much do they really gain working entirely without LeBron and AD), it would just be weird. AK

[@Mandozen]

@@LockedOnLakers Yeah, but nothing you can do if their 2 superstars don’t want to go to the training camp. The other players may need that camp still.

[@orphanware]

What in the world. How much rest do these spoiled athletes need?! They play basketball for a couple house every other day for two weeks and they need 6 months to feel better? It’s been a month. That’s 4 freaking weeks. Unless they are injured they should be good to go. Everything else is just an excuse. Like last year’s Austin excuse. Oh he’s tired! The poor baby! He had to play basketball last month! Give me a break. Dude is 25, does NOTHING else and somehow needs 4 months to rest after playing ball for 2 weeks? Stop it.

[@LockedOnLakers]

@@Mandozen Well, to be clear, LeBron and AD will (to the best of everybody's knowledge) do the actual, formal training camp, which starts next week. This is just an informal, players only camp, which is often as much (if not more) about team bonding as anything on the court. Which isn't to say that stuff doesn't matter, but just to make sure there's no confusion. LeBron and AD will be there when the truly important stuff starts. AK

[@Mandozen]

@@LockedOnLakers Okay, thank you for the clarification.

[@lucasanfilippo5370]

I finally hear Andy's old grit.. finally somebody saying something against a player Who doesnt play defense and cant play for 40 minutes..

[@he4tl1f3r2]

LeBron is the 3rd best defender on the team and second best in the starting lineup by a wide margin

[@thesaxmagician]

This comment is how I know you don’t watch the games. LeBron is our third best defender outside of A.D. and Vando. On top of that he literally JUST played 40 mins in the playoffs. Having to play your stars 40 minutes on a regular basis is a losing formula for any team across the league.

[@lucasanfilippo5370]

@@thesaxmagician yes and bla bla bla.. third best defender Who walks back to the basket.. tired of all this repetitive (sorry)garbage.. LeBron best player in the Olympics.. and bla.. many bla without content.. and the worst is what Andy, finally today addressed: there is no team or team mates who can cover an allstar deficencies.. no team apart Boston, maybe.. all what you said I already Heard 20000 times on TV.. I dont have nothing against you and regular people in general but I hate when I hear ridicolous stuff told by media, in the mouth of people like me.. there is no way you can find role players who can cover your all star issues, you cant pay 50 millions a player Who isnt fresh in the 4th, you cant be blaming others when your main players dont play defense apart when he wants, and has not the power to control the game; tired of hearing about his stats like a positive stuff, when just tells about the fact he cares more about that than winning; tired of many many things whilst others go to the finals with Gafford..

[@gregpollard7158]

@@he4tl1f3r2- LBJ is No Longer a Good Defender bcuz @ 39/40 He understandably conserves His Energy on Defense to be able to give US 25+ on Offense. He does this by playing a 1-Man Zone (Free Safety). This is why We need more 2-Way Players bcuz AD has to cover up for AR/D’Lo/Rui/LBJ’s Par to Subpar Defense. Or We need to pair AR/Gabe & D’Lo/Max to ensure We always have @ least one Good Perimeter Defender on The Court.

[@he4tl1f3r2]

@@lucasanfilippo5370 u are obsessed u should spend ur energy doing something productive

[@ericmcgilp9704]

This is just the latest episode of...Why a 40 year old player on a max is a bad idea. I'm still looking forward to watching this team play. This is the year where the fantasy of another LBJ run gets put to bed. And of course...Brian tries to blame LBJ's age on Pelinka. lol

[@edwardjr3231]

Kobe got maxed out as well and wasn't worth his contract at the end, and it completely handicapped the team his last years. Let's not act like this is not how the Lakers treat their biggest stars 🤦

[@edwardjr3231]

Kobe also got maxed out at the end and his play completely didn't deserve it. Also his contract handicapped the team his last years. Let's not act like this is not how LA treat their biggest stars and make this into a LeBron thing 🤦

[@jourdanzero9312]

ik i have a pessimistic view, but if a few days of mini camp would affect lebron and ad that much physically then we are cooked . I really hope its just because the team is pretty much the same from last year.

[@thesaxmagician]

Tbh I think the mini camps were more about developing some early chemistry for camp, but this is basically been the same squad for almost 2 seasons now so they pretty much know each other. Not to mention from all accounts. JJ has already been having discussions with the players about rolls and things like that so they are probably further along then they normally would be under someone like Ham

[@DJJE928]

You don’t have a pessimist view, you have an ignorant one. You have no clue what it takes to prepare as a professional basketball player. You have zero clue on the wear and tear on their bodies. I know you think “it’s just basketball, they’re professionals” but, you could not be farther from the truth.

[@jourdanzero9312]

@@DJJE928 pls tell me where in my comment i trivialized what professional athletes go through? i know they need rest. theyre aging and just played over the summer. nowhere in the comment did i say otherwise. the point is that if resting is the reason they didnt do something like the mini camp, it isnt a good sign knowing we need to start off strong and the other teams stars dont need to ease into the season. im not shaming them for needing rest. im acknowledging that they do and that it puts us at a disadvantage. ur putting something in quotes that i didnt say and then saying "u know" thats what i think ? why are u putting words in my mouth that i didnt say?

[@neutral6941]

Not necessarily but not a good sign.

[@sagarputcha4323]

Unlikely, the Lakers team is not good enough.

[@king_has_no_clothskul8635]

nothing special, they are an average team.

[@ChivasJerry]

Do some lives connect with people

[@plantbasedfit]

i hope diddy hasnt ruined the lakers

[@iBambo]

You should take your meds.

[@hieroglyphy6181]

Did he ruin you?

[@ceetyler8249]

LAKERS ARE A DEVELOPMENT TEAM NOT A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM THEY NEED TO ATTACK THIS YEARS DRAFT AND MOVE ON FROM AD AND BOTH BRONS

[@timothymccleary2418]

like all LA sports teams, doesn't matter if they have a mini camp, they will finish in last place in the west anyway!!!

[@oneilfarquharson-ifearthel3253]

You delusional 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂