Los Angeles Lakers: 4 biggest goals for 2018-19 season

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle up during practice at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2018 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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3. Integrate everyone with LeBron

LeBron James’ resume’ speaks for itself. He is a 14-time All-Star who has won four regular season and three Finals MVP awards, while his teams have captured three championships and appeared in nine NBA Finals.

So even though he is a first-year Laker, it is up to everyone else on the squad to adjust to him and to raise their game to his level. That doesn’t mean they have to be as good as he is- that, of course, is not going to happen.

But it does mean they have to be willing to compete as hard as he does, and to be as consistent as possible, game-in and game out. The roster depth means that no player should worry about preserving energy. Coach Luke Walton will have plenty of reinforcements ready to come off the bench.

Naturally, there will be a learning curve. It will take time to adjust to playing with a superstar. Also, the young core won’t immediately mesh with all the other new veterans. And of course, Walton will need time to determine which combination of players works best together.

It’s quite possible the Lakers will get off to a slow start, which is actually a pattern that has occurred with other teams after LBJ first joined them. The goal should be for the team to gain momentum as the season progresses, and to be playing its best ball down the stretch.

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