LeBron James has brought a new era to the Los Angeles Lakers, and while that means a lot more wins, it will also mean a lot more handshakes and nicknames for teammates. Take, for example, the point guard duo of Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo, who James has given a new nickname to them.
Via ClutchPoints' Ryan Ward:
“Lonzo is going to be great,” said James. “He's going to be great for a ball club. We got two great point guards in Zo and ‘Do, and that rhymes, too. I kinda like that a little bit. They're going to be great for a ball club.
“He [Ball] has a great guy he can talk to every single day. ‘Do is one of the best point guards in our league for years. He'll benefit from that for sure.”
LeBron James on Lonzo Ball-Rajon Rondo: "Lonzo is going to be great. He's going to be great for a ball club. We got two great point guards in Zo and 'Do, and that rhymes, too. I kinda like that a little bit. They're going to be great for a ball club." #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) September 27, 2018
‘Zo and ‘Do are nicknames that could easily stick for the two guards. Just after Monday's Media Day, James commented on an Instagram photo of Lance Stephenson's. The former Pacers guard wanted to know what nickname should be given to the quartet of himself Rondo, Michael Beasley, and JaVale McGee. Almost immediately, James gave them the nickname M.U.D.: ‘Misunderstood, Under-appreciated, and Determined.'
LeBron calls them MUD… what would you call this squad? (via @sportscenter) pic.twitter.com/bUGL6Bnd8E
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) September 26, 2018
James and the Lakers are off to a solid start at training camp, with the young guys showing hunger to learn and improve while the veterans are eager to not only make their teammates better, but themselves as well. The new-look Lakers will officially begin their season this Saturday against the Denver Nuggets in what will be their first pre-season game together.
