As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for what is expected to be a long playoff run in the NBA bubble, the team is trying to get back up to speed after a four-month hiatus and a lot of questions about whether players will be in shape and ready to go.
At 35, LeBron James continues to be a dominant force in the NBA, with many believing he may be this season’s MVP ahead of Milwaukee Bucks superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With that being said, James has Lakers fans wanting more and hoping for the franchise’s 17th title when it is all said and done in October. LeBron’s status in terms of being in basketball shape will be crucial to the team’s championship push, and it seems there’s no concern whatsoever in that area, according to head coach Frank Vogel who spoke to the media on Thursday.
“Outstanding,” Vogel said of how LeBron has looked during Lakers’ practices. “It’s really remarkable how well he’s been able to stay in shape, stay ready, to be sharp. It’s as if there wasn’t a layoff at all, and he’s playing at a really high level.”
Along with impressing his head coach with how he’s been able to stay in shape and ready for the NBA restart, Vogel has been impressed by the impact James has had on his teammates in regards of just being one of the guys even though he’s one of the most popular athletes on the planet.
“He’s a lot of fun,” Vogel said of LeBron. “I’ve got to commend him as someone of his stature to just be one of the guys…I think he really enjoys our group. Both his teammates and support staff, our coaching, and I commend him, like I said, of someone of that stature to sort of have that mentality of being one of the guys.”
With LeBron in tip-top shape and creating a fun environment for his Lakers teammates, the Los Angeles franchise and its players appear to be ready for a championship run in the bubble. The team has a lot of hurdles ahead of them just like every other squad in Orlando at the moment, but the purple and gold may be as prepared as any with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in their crosshairs moving forward.
