The Lakers have lost their first two preseason games. More significant than the scores, though, are the names in the box score. Luka Dončić and LeBron James both sat out the weekend's games, as did Marcus Smart. Maxi Kleber has also been in street clothes, and Austin Reaves missed the second game after playing well in the preseason opener.
No question, there are reasonable explanations for all of it. Luka played deep into Eurobasket (and has been on the practice floor through the first week). LeBron has been nursing a sore glute and noted heading into camp that he and his camp think LeBron went a little too hard in the preseason last year. Smart has an Achilles problem, so caution is warranted. And so on.
But at the same time, if the Lakers are going to eat up the gap between them and the teams in front of them (or at least perceived to be in front of them) out West, they need to maximize their upside. That starts with getting as many reps as possible in training camp. That's not happening.
So is it by choice? Are the Lakers re-starting what had become a trend of kinda blowing off training camp? What could that mean going forward?
Meanwhile, LeBron got everyone's attention Monday when he teased "#TheSecondDecision." A "decision of all decisions."
Is he teasing a retirement announcement? Is he shilling for Amazon (Tuesday is Prime Day)? We'll all find out at 9 am PT.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers missing out on preseason opportunities?
SEGMENT 2: Strategy or necessity?
SEGMENT 3: What's LeBron teasing?
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