JaVale McGee sported his Lakers fanny pack, as expected. And as expected, McGee gave us a couple great quotes.
McGee was asked about him saying that he wanted to be the faster 7-footer in the NBA:
JM: I didn’t say I wanted to be, I said I AM – I’m the fastest 7-footer in the league for sure. Staying lean staying limber and staying conditioned — that’s definitely me I’m known for running the floor.
About shooting three-pointers:
JM: I like to shoot about 200 a day.
About competing with Zubac and competing with Wagner and Zubac for the center position:
JM: I think I’m the only one with a championship on this team so I mean that definitely means something.
About LeBron, if they know each other and if he has brought up the finals:
JM: Yeah we’re friendly but we really didn’t know each other before.
On if he has brought up finals to LeBron and if he wears the championship rings:
JM: Nah I haven’t brought it up. I’m also undefeated in the finals technically. I’m not trying to get robbed in LA, so uh, no I’m not wearing the rings.
McGee was given a fanny pack to wear, but it wasn’t good enough he found a Lakers black fanny pack with a logo. “I literally wear a fanny pack every day,” he said, “I never sling it over my shoulder — I like wearing shorts, so shorts usually don’t have any pockets and I needed to find a solution,” he said.
JaVale feels blessed to be in a Lakers uniform with other champions.
Rajon Rondo had his time with NBA TV, and he talked about him and LeBron and their intense battles.
RR: We’ve gotten pretty close, but obviously time is going to continue to get our relationship a lot closer. We’re going to spend more time together than we do with our families.
On LeBron saying Rondo was one of the smartest basketball players in the NBA:
RR: It’s very humbling, you know to come from arguably the best player that ever played the game. With that type of IQ, what he brings to the game, what he brings off the court, any way you look at it, it’s very impressive– I’m excited. I haven’t been this excited to play with a player in this long time — LeBron James is the best player in the world by far.
RR: I don’t think LeBron has had ever pretty much had that as far as I’m able to think the game for him, he don’t have to think as much, I can make things simpler and keep him happy.
On impression of young Lakers core:
RR: They’re sponges. They are already coming up to myself, LeBron, and Mike and asking us a lot of questions.
On Lonzo Ball:
RR: The intangibles, he obviously can do it all. I love that he is a very unselfish player.
On if Rondo thinks he is in LA to mentor Lonzo:
RR: Yeah, that’s obvious.
To summarize Laker fans from Media Day: Lonzo Ball worked on his shot but according to him it hasn’t changed, don’t count on the finals this year, the young core are sponges, the veterans are teaching, Rondo is brilliant, and LeBron is the best player in the world.