LeBron James confirmed on Tuesday that he is vaccinated against the coronavirus and, although he avoided criticizing or giving advice to those in the NBA who have not yet received the puncture, he pointed out that his personal health and that of his close circle were the reasons that led him to take that decision.
“I was very skeptical (about the vaccine), but I did my research (…), it seemed to me that it was the best not only for me but for my family and my friends, and that’s why I decided to do it,” said the star of the Lakers in the day with the media of the Los Angeles franchise before the start of the preseason.
James said that, regarding vaccination, he only spoke for himself and insisted that this is a decision that each player must make based on their personal situation.
“We talk about the bodies of each one. It is not something political, racism, police brutality or things of that nature,” he argued when asked whether a figure of his importance should not step forward to encourage the rest of the league to get vaccinated.
In this sense, James stated that he did not feel comfortable telling others what to do with their bodies and with their families.
The NBA preseason has so far been dominated by controversy around players like Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal or Andrew Wiggins, who, for different reasons, have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Due to this situation, these players could miss the matches that are played in cities – even in those of their own teams – that require players to be vaccinated.
The Lakers will not face this problem as Rob Pelinka, the team’s general manager, assured last week that all his players will be vaccinated at the start of the 2021-2022 season.
A STAR AND VERY VETERAN TEAM
After falling in the first round of the qualifying rounds against the Phoenix Suns 2-4 after a year marked by injuries and in which they could not defend the ring obtained in the “bubble” of Orlando (USA), the Lakers They tackle this new season an interesting and risky challenge with one of the most exciting and stellar squads in the NBA.
The Angelenos made a clean slate, and have only kept their two figures, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and the young Talen Horton-Tucker.
The Spaniard Marc Gasol was also not spared from this great renewal in the purple and gold team, which has had a hectic summer in the offices with the incorporation of names in capital letters such as Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Rajon Rondo or Trevor Ariza.
The doubts revolve mainly around the age and physique of this extremely veteran team.
“Age is nothing more than a number,” said Anthony Davis, who confirmed that he will play many more minutes at the center position.
Carmelo Anthony, in his debut in the Lakers jersey, pointed out that “the narrative” about age is something that is talked about a lot outside the team but not inside.
For his part, LeBron James admitted that he had laughed at some jokes on the internet about the age of these Lakers and recalled that, beyond the conversations in the media and on the networks, “the games are won between the four lines” of court.
In addition, James assumed the responsibility of leading this team, assured that leadership does not come and go but is something he practices at all times, and praised what a player as explosive as Westbrook can contribute.
“We need Russ to be Russ,” he said.
Westbrook picked up the glove and vowed to bring “every night” what he does best: “Energy, effort and speed.”
“Super teams” are nothing new in recent Lakers history.
Without leaving the 21st century, in the 2003-2004 season, the Angelina franchise brought together Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Gary Payton, while in the 2012-2013 Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol joined their paths. , Steve Nash and Dwight Howard.
The result was not what was expected: the former fell in the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons and the latter crashed in the first round of the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs.
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