Los Angeles Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant, is confident that LeBron James will enable the team’s young assets to develop at a quicker pace.
Magic Johnson rejuvenated the Los Angeles Lakers last week when he lured in the biggest available fish of the summer: LeBron James. As a result, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the Lakers’ upcoming campaign.
Among those that are excited about the future is the Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant. During a recent interview on The Doug Gottlieb Show, Bryant discussed what James’ presence means for the storied organization (via Lakers Nation writer Corey Hansford).
"“I think the wonderful thing about this is that it really does speed up the development of the younger players. They’ve been growing so much and now here they are, thrusted into the spotlight. Pressure makes diamonds. In this situation you’ll see Lonzo step up. You’ll see Kuzma step up more. The young guys will really step up and rise to that challenge, and hit their potential a lot faster than they ordinarily would.”"
Bryant brings up a lot of valid points here. Granted players like Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma will only be in their sophomore seasons, having an All-Star veteran aboard like James will make their lives easier.
LeBron has been in the NBA for a decade and a half, so he knows about being in the “spotlight.” He has been a part of nine NBA Finals over that same stretch, so he likewise understands the “pressure” Kobe mentions.
It is key to point out that no other active player has been to the Finals as much as James. Therefore, his experience in that respect will be extremely invaluable to the Lakers’ younger assets.
The Lakers did not make the playoffs for a franchise-record fifth straight year in 2017-2018. However, with James in town, it is safe to assume the fortunes are going to change.
While the Lakers do not have a second superstar alongside James, it is essentially a given that L.A. will be a playoff team in 2018-2019. Accordingly, some of the Lakers’ young ballers, including Ball, Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram, will be in the postseason for the first time.
When players are in the playoffs for the first time, getting nervous is all too natural. Despite that truth, James’ presence should help alleviate some of that tension. When that part fades away, it becomes simpler to just go out there and be yourself.
Consequently, it will enable their games to shine on those bigger stages as Bryant said. In doing so, the young core the Lakers possess will grow right before our very eyes.
There is no guarantee everyone will perform at peak level during those types of moments. Nonetheless, getting those opportunities will only make handling that pressure easier as time progresses.
That is where a lot of the beauty of the LeBron signing is found. His presence will help the young Lakers’ unit mature at a faster rate than would be the case without him. That being said, the benefits the Lakers receive from that will not only be on display in 2018-2019 but in the years to follow.
Next: 5 Reasons To Love The LeBron James Signing
Because L.A. has high aspirations, LeBron James’ decision to wear the purple and gold is a choice that is certainly franchise-altering. If the three-time champion molds those “diamonds” Bryant references, it will cause the former to shine all the more brightly as well.