Lakers star LeBron James says he’s ready for 21

LeBron James pointed to the NBA championship trophy visible through the glass window in Lakers owner Jeanie Buss’ office and said adding to the team’s 17 trophies was his motivation.

James is about to enter the 21st year of his illustrious career, and his energy is still flowing as he wants a fifth championship, and he wants the Lakers to raise another flag and break their relationship with the pesky slump. A tie with the Boston Celtics.

Yes, James said he has always been “self-motivated,” but he also said the 2023-24 Lakers motivate him even more because they have the talent and potential to win a championship.

““I just think that’s just motivation for me to continue to do the best I can and solidify what I want to do in my career and still see the Larry O’Brien Trophy in my mind every day,” James explain. “So, it’s one of the four best moments of my career, to be able to lift the trophy. So, that’s just motivation.

read more: Anthony Davis calls for Lakers to put in more ‘effort and communication’ in transition

“But I also want to be a legend in this game, to have my game speak for itself long after I’ve finished playing it. But this team also inspires me. Coming to training every day, watching the players go to work every day and challenge each other, Trying to get better every day. Achieve what we want to do. So that’s motivation as well.”

James said it’s not the trash talk from opponents, even those from the Nuggets, that drives him, as the Lakers open their regular-season game in Denver on Tuesday night.

On the other hand, his three children — son Bronny, 19, Bryce, 16, and daughter Curry, 8 — inspire him. “Obviously, because of the events that happened this summer, I’m going to dedicate this season to Bronny,” James said at media day.

Browne, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Southern California, suffered a cardiac arrest during a team practice this summer, possibly caused by a congenital heart defect. Browne is doing well after successful surgery and is working toward a return to the field with the Trojans this season.

Bryce played basketball at Campbell Hall and Jury played volleyball.

James said family is important to him.

“That’s the motivation I get now. I don’t have much motivation anymore to fight against opponents,” James said. “I don’t need it. I don’t want to say I’m not motivated to compete because I do have motivation against competitors and I love competing against the best. But I don’t need an individual or a team to motivate me. I’m self-motivated . I’m enough but my kids, that’s my outside force.”

James, who turns 39 in December, will begin his sixth season with the Lakers. In 2020, he won the NBA championship with the team.

He knew the Lakers had some of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen — Kobe, Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Jerry West, Wilt — and they were all respected.

Someone asked James, how did you become a Lakers?

“I don’t know how I became a Laker. I don’t know how to answer that question,” he said. “But when I came here, I felt like I wanted to be here for more than just a short stay. I came in with the mindset that I wanted to help this team get back to the playoffs. I don’t think they’ve had success in the last five or six playoffs before I got here. And was able to put another Larry O’Brien Trophy back in Jeanie Buss’ office. I can do this. So, everything else is extra credit to me.

“As far as my personal goals, I want to continue to win. I want to continue to add to that. I want to continue to hopefully move one of those Larry O’Brien trophies aside and put another one in there. But in terms of how I became a Laker For the players, no matter what the situation is, it’s for everyone else. But for me, I know my job is… this team is always relevant, and, in a basketball sense on the court. More relevant. “That’s what we’ve been doing since I’ve been here. “

James said it was “awesome” to deal with a right foot injury that caused him to miss 27 games last season.

This will take some time to achieve.

“I don’t have to think about it that much,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to have, just having your motor back.”

The Nuggets swept the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals and went on to win the NBA championship, and have been criticized ever since.

Denver head coach Mike Malone was dubbed “the dad of the Lakers” as the Nuggets held their victory parade.

Malone was happy when James hinted at retirement after the Lakers lost to the Nuggets.

“Speaking of the Lakers, I just want you to know – this is breaking news – I’m thinking about retiring, so don’t tell anyone,” Malone said during a guest appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

In June, James told Malone on his Instagram: “I hear you care about me, huh??? I mean I think I understand why. … Enjoy your light, but just know,” it seemed His name was not revealed. “I am the sun.”

On Saturday, James was asked about all the talk about him over the years and his response to the Nuggets or anyone else.

“Well, I don’t know,” he said. “There’s going to be a time. When that time is, I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s now or…sometime in the future. There’s got to be a day when everybody’s going to get it.”

ETC.

Lakers head coach Davin Hamm said after practice Saturday that guard Gabe Vincent (guard) practiced and will be available for the season opener, but forward Jared Vanderbilt (sore left heel) ) “most likely will not be able to attend” the game in Denver. Hamm also said rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino (right knee soreness) is still being evaluated.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.