Stop fighting! James announced his withdrawal! Congratulations to the Lakers for finding a stand-in
On October 7, Beijing time, James announced that he would miss the Lakers' first preseason game (8:30 a.m. on October 8, against the Warriors)! The Lakers have a total of 6 preseason games, and James has said he will participate in 3 of them. Lakers coach Hamm responded with a smile when James missed the first game: "Okay, then I won't coach either!" ”
There were also people on the Warriors' side who did not play, and new signing McGrud suffered a concussion and missed the preseason opener. James' absence is not an injury, but the Lakers' protection of him. Hamm said: "The Lakers have a good lineup, James doesn't have to put on a hero cloak at the beginning of the season, his teammates around him can step up. ”
So the question arises: who will be James' stand-in? At present, it is Hachimura Shu! This summer, Hachimura was the only player to train with James the entire time, and he missed the basketball World Cup. James revealed that the two went on a trip. Lakers training camp, Hachimura practice three-pointers, James supervises the whole process.
Talking about the difference between the Lakers and the Wizards, Hachimura is very excited: "I like the big stage, and to be honest, when we were at the Wizards, we didn't have the goal of winning the championship!" But at the Lakers, we have championship genes and bigger goals, so the motivation on the court is completely different. I'm grateful to James for taking me to train this summer, I've learned a lot. ”
In the 2022-23 regular season, Hachimura averaged 22.4 minutes per game with the Lakers, scoring 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists, shooting 48.5%, 29.6% and 72.1% from the field. In the playoffs, he averaged 24.2 minutes, 12.2 points, 3.6 boards and 0.6 assists, shooting 55.7% from the field, 48.7% from three-point range and 88.2% from the free-throw line.
This offseason, the Lakers renewed their contract to Hachimura for $51 million for 3 years, which is a reasonable price. Hachimura was born on February 8, 1998, and there is still room for improvement. As James gets older, playing time will certainly decrease next season. Hachimura also knows that he must improve himself in order to get more opportunities.
In addition to James, Reeves is also missing tomorrow's preseason game with the Warriors. Reeves played in the World Cup for the U.S. men's basketball team this summer, and Hamm said Reeves needed a break. At this year's World Cup, Reeves averaged 20.1 minutes per game, scoring 12.4 points, 2.4 boards, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals, shooting 59%, 52.4% and 93.8% from the field.
Reeves' treatment with the Lakers today is second only to James and thick eyebrows. ESPN reporters said that some fans called Reeves and James and thick eyebrows the Big Three of the Lakers. Reeves responded: "I'm not going to pay attention to statements like the 'Big Three,' I just want to move on. But it felt special to be able to hear your own name juxtaposed with the two of them. ”
The Lakers currently have 14 official contracts, especially forwards, and the roster depth is enough!
Defenders: Russell, Vincent, Reeves, Christie, Shifino;
Forwards: James, Hachimura, Van der Biao, Reddish, Prince, Lewis;
Center: Thick Eyebrows, Wood, Hayes.
The new season is coming, who are you most looking forward to?