Lakers fans can't wait to see Anthony Davis join LeBron James on the court this season.
James can't wait to team up with Davis, either.
The Lakers held a media day as the team prepares to open training camp, and the four-time NBA MVP heaped praise on Davis, who joined the Lakers in the offseason via a blockbuster trade with the Pelicans.
"I know the caliber of player he is, not only from a basketball standpoint but also from a leadership standpoint and what he can bring to any franchise," James said. “It’s exciting to have such a beautiful young mind, a beautiful player and also a great leader, as well. … I think the basketball will speak for itself, but he's just an all-around great person."
“It’s exciting to have a beautiful young mind and a great leader as well.” @KingJames on the addition of Anthony Davis to the roster. #NBAMediaDay (via @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/jVk86mJguE
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 27, 2019
"We all know how great Anthony Davis is," James continued (via USA Today). "If we’re not playing through him when he’s on the floor, there’s no sense to have him on the floor. He’s that great."
While there are huge expectations for these Lakers, James and everyone else was cautious in making predictions, perhaps understandable for a franchise that hasn't even made the playoffs since 2013. When asked about his expectations for this year, forward Kyle Kuzma said, "For the team, make (the) playoffs. That’s it. That’s the first step. We can’t talk about nothing else because this organization hasn’t been in the playoffs for years."
When someone asked Lakers GM Rob Pelinka if this season would be a disappointment if the team doesn't win a championship, he replied, "Coach (Frank Vogel) made it very clear in the film room just now that success for us is a great two-day practice tomorrow. We optimize that practice and take it one day at a time. We’re not going to jump to June."
But the addition of Davis makes the Lakers one of the teams to watch this season. Expectations are huge, but Davis is ready to get started.
"I'm just ready to play … to be with a historical franchise like this … I couldn't ask for nothing better," Davis said Friday. "I just want to win. … I think this year we have a chance to do something special."