LeBron James Calls For Patience After Lakers' First Practice Session

The Los Angeles Lakers took to the courts Tuesday for their first official practice session with LeBron James in tow for his first outing with the rest of the team.

The three-time NBA champion joined the second most successful franchise in NBA history earlier in the summer and is the new leader of the team going into the new season.

The Lakers have not made the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, and the team’s president of basketball operations Magic Johnson, who waited outside James’ house for over an hour to ensure he does not miss out on signing him, is keen to change that.

The first practice session saw the group split into two teams — one included James along with young guns Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Lance Stephenson, while the other team was made up of Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

And the outcome was not as predicted with James’ team coming out second best against veteran point guard Rondo and his team. The former Cleveland Cavaliers star admitted patience will be key when it comes to getting used to his new surroundings.

Apart from being patient with his new teammates among whom many are young and inexperienced, he admitted he has to be patient with himself too as he understands the new system under coach Luke Walton.

“I’m not a very patient guy, but I understand that I have to be patient right now,” James said, as per the Los Angeles Times. “I got to be patient with myself too because this is a new start for me. This is my first year here.”

“This is my first year in the new system. I know how to play the game of basketball, but this is all new to me too. So I have to be patient with myself. Not only with my teammates, but more with myself,” he added.

James was also asked about his impressions of coach Walton after the first practice session, but the small forward pleaded for more time. He indicated it will take time for the relationship to blossom, and referenced his relationship with his high school coach to reveal the process.

“I mean, if you would ask me what my relationship would be with my first high school coach when I was in the ninth grade, I would have told you it would be terrible because he cussed us out every single day in practice — Keith Dambrot, I love you. I love you,” James said.

“But our relationship grew more and more and he ended up being the best coach I ever played for. So, just give me some time.”

The Lakers begin their NBA pre-season campaign with a double header against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night and Tuesday night.

They will then take on the Sacramento Kings and the LA Clippers before another double header against reigning champions the Golden State Warriors. James and co begin their NBA regular season against the Portland Trailblazers on Oct. 18.