Play.
The poster slam on Jaren Jackson Jr. was vicious.
In the third quarter, the Lakers' James attacks the lane and finishes strong over Jackson. (0:17)
7:44 PM
Before the Lakers even held an official practice this season, let alone played a game, they reminded him of another group led by an aging legend: Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Packers.
The quarterback's first season with the team was a disaster, as they lost their first game and were just.500. After winning the final four games of the season, the Tampa Bay went on to win the Super Bowl.
James believed the Lakers would be in for a similar ride after they traded for Russell Westbrook and added a number of accomplished vets.
James shared his prediction with his new teammates during a player-organized voluntary minicamp in Las Vegas in September.
Anthony said it was an apt comparison.
It's just from the standpoint of starting off slow. A new system. Guys trying to figure it out, guys trying to figure out how to play with Anthony Davis, and now incorporating Russ and just now everybody figuring out what their role is," he told reporters on a video conference call. It was beautiful for the Bucs because once it came together, you saw what happened with it.
The Lakers were down by as many as 29 points in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, and lost 127-119. L.A. is the 7th seed in the Western Conference.
Anthony said that it was just preparing them for whatever happens. I don't want to say we were prepared for those times, but I think we were.
Lakers backup guard Wayne Ellington said that James' example has been something he has drawn on for confidence as the Lakers have taken their lumps.
Everybody was like, 'Oh no!' The Buccaneers hit a stride at the right time. "Ended up winning the whole thing," he said. When you see how our season is going, that's one of the things I always reach back to. Man, remaining positive and professional.
It can turn in the right direction very quickly.
L.A. has a relatively easy week with only two games on the schedule, one in Denver and the other in Sacramento.
It will give Davis and Nunn more time to recover from their injuries and not have to miss games.
The injury update on Davis is expected to be released by the Lakers on Friday, which will be four weeks since he hurt it. Nunn is expected to be back in the lineup by the end of January, according to sources.
The Lakers could be fully healthy for the first time all season in a matter of weeks, just like the Bucs did.
It's a great comparison. It's something we look forward to. We hear it. Anthony said it was a great comparison. I don't think it's something we think about on a daily basis. We have an analogy to compare it to, and what better team and situation to compare it to than what the Bucs did last year?
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