EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their training camp with an intense focus on conditioning and teamwork, highlighted by a motivational message from head coach JJ Redick. On Thursday, as the team pushed through drills, a reminder on the court urged them to embrace “Championship Habits, Championship Communication, Championship Shape.”
Redick emphasized the importance of physical fitness, especially after last year’s playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, which had underscored the team’s need to improve in that area. The early days of training camp have seen noticeable changes, particularly with players like Luka Dončić, who is visibly leaner after performing well with the Slovenian national team during EuroBasket. The coaching staff has been inspired by the overall commitment shown by the players toward their physical fitness.
“Terrific first three days,” Redick remarked on Thursday. “We’re in better shape than we were three days ago, and the communication is improving. We’re aiming to develop a strong foundation that requires time and daily commitment, and the guys have been fantastic.”
The Lakers are preparing for their first preseason game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, although key players LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Maxi Kleber, and rookie Adou Theiro will not participate. Kleber is sidelined briefly due to a minor quad injury, while the rest are ramping up to full activity.
Redick pointed out that evaluating the team’s fitness can be assessed through their performance on the court—key indicators include defensive sprinting, offensive pace, and physicality in play. “If we’re excelling in these areas, we’re in shape,” he stated.
Dončić echoed the importance of mental conditioning along with physical fitness. “It’s not just physical shape; it’s about mental shape too,” he explained. With the intensity of practices increasing, there’s a shared acknowledgment among the team members of the hard work required to achieve their goals.
A playful yet competitive atmosphere marked the camp, with Redick even engaging in a series of timed sprints that left players both exhausted and motivated. Gabe Vincent shared a light-hearted take on the bonding that comes from shared struggles: “If we all hate you, but we all hate you collectively, that’s great.”
As the Lakers approach their preseason games against the Suns and Golden State Warriors, the immediate question of wins and losses takes a backseat to building a cohesive rhythm in both offense and defense. Redick emphasized, “It’s about building a base for what we want to do moving forward.”
The focus on foundational development aims to set the stage for a promising season ahead, with the Lakers committed to turning talk into action both on and off the court.