EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Bronny James didn’t surprise anyone. After two years, the Los Angeles Lakers knew him.

As he said during the Lakers’ media day on Monday, James can be a man of few words. And like he’s always said, he’s more focused on himself than the person he shares a name with.

“Just the motivating factor of creating my path and my career makes me want to get up every day and work hard,” James said. “Come in the gym and learn from guys that have been around longer than me. I think it’s just something that I’ve followed my entire life. You guys know me as Bronny, and my real name is LeBron.

“I’ve been doing this for however long, so I think it’s a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron.”

James is entering the most important training camp of his career. The Lakers have 16 players under contract; league rules allow only 15. He, Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy have club options for next season that are expiring deals. And while no one has seen the Lakers play so far this preseason — save for some team-approved clips here or there — the way the Lakers are talking, James has a place in what they’re trying to do.

“I’m ready to get out there and play,” James said Monday.

This isn’t meant to be a LeBron hate post. He moved on, I’ll still root for him, and the LeBron era was absolutely worth it.

But watching the players-only trip, Media Day, and the beginning of training camp, I can’t help but feel like a cloud has lifted from this team.

Not because LeBron was the problem, but because for the first time in years, everyone’s role feels clear.

JJ Redick is the head coach.

Luka is the franchise player.

And the front office finally has a clear direction.

This finally feels like JJ’s team

JJ walked into a difficult situation for a first-time head coach. He was coaching LeBron James, arguably one of the smartest players ever and someone whose presence is bigger than any coach.

Whether intentional or not, there were times JJ felt more like a co-head coach than the head coach. That feels different now.

JJ said heading into camp that for the first time in his three seasons, “the pieces actually fit together.”

He also made the hierarchy clear when talking about Luka and Austin: “This team is their team.”

Through camp, JJ seems to have a specific vision: pressure the ball, use their athletic wings aggressively, and let Kessler anchor everything behind them.

It feels like JJ is finally getting to build his system and establish his culture.

The roster finally has an identity

This is where moving on from LeBron made sense.
When you have LeBron James still playing at an All-NBA level, you almost have to operate year-to-year. Every move is about maximizing his remaining window.

Now the Lakers can build something with continuity.
Pelinka basically confirmed that philosophy: “We want this team to grow together.”

And the roster reflects it. Kessler is 25. Grimes is 26. Ziaire is 25. Sexton is 27. Luka is 27. These aren’t just pieces assembled for one championship push. There’s a chance to develop an actual core.

More importantly, the pieces make sense together. They’re building specifically around Luka.

Luka said himself that he really wanted Kessler and now you have an elite young rim protector behind aggressive perimeter defenders.

Thybulle said having Kessler behind him makes him feel like he can “fully live up to my defensive potential.”

Kessler was even more direct:
“I think we’re going to be a nasty defensive team.”

That’s exactly how I want a Luka team constructed.
You already have one of the best offensive engines in basketball. Surround him with defense, athleticism, shooting, size, and players comfortable in defined roles.

And Luka seems to be embracing the responsibility that comes with this being his team. He organized the Slovenia trip and talked about becoming the clear centerpiece of the Lakers as a “new challenge” that he feels “honored” to take on.

That leadership part might be just as important as the roster changes.

That doesn’t mean LeBron was the problem.

When LeBron James is on your team, everything naturally revolves around LeBron James. That’s not a criticism of him. It’s the reality of having one of the biggest players in the history of the sport on your roster.

But his departure has created room for other people to fully step into their roles.

JJ can establish himself as the coach.

Luka can establish himself as the leader.

And everyone else knows what’s expected of them.
Maybe this team wins a championship. Maybe it doesn’t.

But JJ saying “the pieces actually fit together” sums up why I’m excited about this version of the Lakers.

There’s a defined coach, a defined franchise player, and a roster built with a specific identity in mind.

The LeBron era was great.

But it was time for the Luka era to actually begin.

1. For the first time in 8 years, we don't have a media circus surrounding us. The team looks united and ready to play as a team.

2. Kessler looks locked into his role. I love how he talks about defense, defense and more defense. We already know we are probably elite in terms of offense but we are likely to have many issues on defense. Kessler wanting to be our defense anchor and not being bothered about offense is absolutely what we want to hear.

3. Matisse Thybulle looks healthy. As mentioned, we need to cover our defense. A healthy Thybulle is one hell of a defender. Obviously I don't expect him to go to his previous highs (which is DPOY candidate level) but I think he will be good enough to make an impact for us (similar to what Smart was able to do for us last season).

4. Ziaire Williams seems to be locked in on being a defensive hound for us as well. Well, I don't want to repeat myself, but well, it's great we have guys committed to playing defense.

Very encouraging to hear that Thybulle is dominating on the defensive end, not that it’s surprising. If he can stay healthy, Caruso’s role in OKC is maybe his destiny on this team. Comes off the bench but closes most games.

AR said today too that the biggest defensive standouts so far are Thybulle and Ziaire.

I feel like Grimes and Looney stats are missing here, but overall that graphic doesn't match what some folks are preaching about our defense getting worse.

On the top of the numbers we have to understand the team also got younger and more athletic meaning we can play defense the entire game without coasting.

Data are matching what Walker Kessler said yesterday about our perimeter defense being underrated.