If you didn't know any better, you wouldn't have thought that there was any LeBron James drama this summer. At the Los Angeles Lakers' Media Day on Monday, he seemed happier than ever to be there, quickly ending speculation that lingering tension from the offseason would be present. As ESPN's Tim MacMahon cautioned, though, LeBron can flip the switch.
On the "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective" podcast, MacMahon said, "If LeBron wants to turn the temperature up in a room, the man knows how to work a thermostat. He clearly had no interest in that today." Windhorst chimed in and said, "You got that right."
LeBron knows how to address the media after having done so for 23 seasons and counting. What he says in interviews and posts on social media is calculated. He knows what he's doing. Nothing that he says is by accident.
As good as it was to see him in a good mood on Monday, that doesn't mean things will stay that way.
Media Day LeBron might not be here to stay
Los Angeles didn't offer LeBron an extension this summer before he picked up his player option, so he's entering the final season of his contract for the first time in his career. That left a sour taste in his mouth. His agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, issued a statement that made it sound like a LeBron trade request was on the horizon.
The Lakers made a flurry of moves since then, not ones that exactly scream contenders, but LA is expected to be a threat in the West with Luka and LeBron, nonetheless.
If the Lakers start the season out hot, there shouldn't be a reason for LeBron to be frustrated. However, if things start to go south, it could lead to pointed comments from LeBron and Instagram posts hinting at leaving LA.
LeBron said he isn't sure when he will retire, but that he knows it's sooner rather than later. It doesn't seem like this season will be his last in the NBA, but he could always decide to make it his last dance.
Everything in La La Land is sunshine and flowers right now, but the season hasn't started yet. The real fun doesn't begin for a few weeks. Let's hope this version of LeBron is here to stay, at least for a while longer.