LeBron James competed against Stephen Curry and fought against him and the Golden State Warriors for NBA titles in a pivotal chapter in the league's history.
They had never actually played together until this summer. After winning gold at the Paris Olympics — an experience that tested Team USA in a way that players like James and Curry crave — the prospects have evolved.
“It was everything and more. I was very excited to have the opportunity to work with him in a do-or-die atmosphere,” James said of the experience. “That's what it was like, being part of the Olympic Games. It was everything I dreamed of and I wanted to be a part of this team, along with Steph. Great memories. I will definitely remember something from my basketball career for the rest of my life.”
It's a safe bet that the memories won't affect the Lakers' competition and the Warriors will face each other again, which will happen for the first time on Tuesday in a preseason game in Las Vegas. However, the success and photos of James and Curry celebrating together made people wonder if there was a way for the two to work together again.
“I have no idea,” James said. – I have no idea.
The likelihood of a Curry-James collaboration should be considered incredibly low considering the complications the deal would pose if the two tried to force the issue, which no one has ever indicated was the case.
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But his time in Paris with Curry did more than just reinforce what James had learned over more than a decade competing with the Warriors star.
“I think when you're around someone every day, you can be around them and you see how hard they work, you see how committed they are to the game, then it's recognition and respect from the very top,” James said. “So I understand what Steph has done for the game. I understand what he did for this organization, what he did for the community, for people around the world. Just because of his approach to the game and who he is as a person. What he is like as a family man. What is he like as a husband, father, son and so on.
“So when you have that kind of respect for someone, and then you get to be around that person every day and see how they work and how they treat their craft, it's a pretty cool thing. You can just respect it and not take it for granted.
LeBron James wants Bronny to speak for himself
The pressure and attention on Lakers rookie Bronny James through three games is different than anyone else drafted late in the second round, and for obvious reasons.
It would be a lie to say that LeBron James' son was struggling after three games. He made just one of 11 shots from the field and had five turnovers and one assist. The Lakers gave up 40 points in Bronny James' 35.6 minutes, giving them the second-worst plus/minus rating in the NBA this preseason.
When asked how his son was dealing with the hardships and adapting, LeBron James didn't answer.
– You have to ask him. He's a grown man. Ask him how he deals with it,” he said. “And then we'll go from there. But he's a grown man. He is a professional. He can handle all this pressure on his own. But we know why – right or wrong – the attention is focused here.”
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Lakers coach JJ Redick said he didn't think Bronny James played nervous during preseason games.
“We talked to him that, like a lot of young players, you just have to be more consistent with your energy and effort every day,” Redick said. “I don't want to say it was bad, but like today, I had a great day in training. We often see glimpses of this. … I talked to him about the standard of who he is as a player. He will eventually build that standard and it will show in every match.
Ankle improvement
Austin Reaves' right ankle pain continues to improve, and the Lakers starting point guard said if his condition continues to improve, he could return to the court for preseason games on Tuesday.
Reaves, who went to practice with an ankle brace, said he began dealing with pain after a game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 6 in Palm Desert. He did not play during the Lakers' victory in Milwaukee.
For Reaves, who didn't miss a game last season despite spending the previous summer with Team USA, it was a welcome day off.
“Where I'm from, my basketball coach was our strength coach and stuff like that. We didn't really have all the resources that everyone has now. So even when I was in the league my rookie year, I thought if you were in the training room, you were injured,” he said.
“So I'm trying to grow from that and develop good habits of being in the training room every day, just working on my body and making sure you're in a good place to continue to play and be there for your team. This is the most important thing. And like you said, any time you can sit down, put your feet up and relax, you have to do it. Because it's a long year.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
