LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a fast start this season. After cruising to a relatively easy victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night, Los Angeles is now sitting with a seven-game win streak and only one loss thus far.
Last year, LeBron James got his new team off to a decent start to the season, as well. The Lakers became a legitimate threat in the NBA once again with the superstar newcomer leading the way until he suffered a groin injury, which kept him out nearly 20 games and basically ended the team's hopes for a playoff run.
Now, LeBron is back with a vengeance as he has his team humming playing alongside fellow superstar Anthony Davis. James reflected on last year's injury and his mindset coming into this season after a failed campaign in 2018-19.
“It's my personal motivation,” LeBron said of getting back to elite form this year. “I'm extra motivated to put myself in a position where I belong, so it's my personal motivation every single night I step on the floor to be great. The summer that I had. I know the rehab that I had with my groin.”
James also provided some insight into what went on during the summer while shooting his new movie, Space Jam 2. The Lakers superstar makes it clear he wasn't slacking off because of the movie he was filming putting in the work before he got to the set.
“Shoot, I shot Space Jam for three months all summer,” James said. “My call times every morning was at 6:30 a.m., and I was in the gym at like 3-4 o'clock in the morning before shooting for 12, 13-14 hours. If you follow me, you've probably seen it a couple of times. I just know how much I put into my craft.
“The main thing is, even when I was shooting the movie, I know what was most important. That's me getting ready for the fall. Always had that in the front of my mind. It's my personal pressure that I'm putting on myself, which I don't really believe in pressure much, but I believe in myself and what I'm capable of.”
After eight games, it seems that work has been paying off. The Lakers are riding high while on a seven-game win streak and may very well be the team to beat in the NBA as LeBron continues to put up big numbers on a nightly basis.
Los Angeles will host the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors on Sunday night at the Staples Center in an effort to win their eighth game in a row.
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