LeBron James, Anthony Davis, the Olympics, Joyous Basketball and Legacy (Guest, Aaron Larsuel)

It's August, so there's not really a news cycle to follow, which is good because it leaves space to have in-depth conversations with someone like friend-of-the-show Aaron Larsuel about the just-ended Paris games. It's a chance to think not just about what the games did for LeBron's legacy and Anthony Davis's reputation, but also how the performances impact what's coming for the Lakers this season.

 

Davis, for example, was in fantastic shape for the tournament. Does that put him ahead of the game heading into training camp in a few weeks? Is there a real risk of residual fatigue?

 

What lessons can the Lakers learn from the ways in which Davis was deployed?

 

As for LeBron, he said himself that he can't picture playing in the LA games four years from now. But is it that far fetched? The answer to that question seems to have much more to do with LeBron's willingness to play, as opposed to his capability, at least based on current trajectories. He's signed up for two years beyond this one. Getting to an Olympic year wouldn't require much more.

 

The Lakers, in their heart of hearts, likely didn't expect James to still be this good at age 40. And while the lack of drop off is a nice thing for them -- they've still got one of the league's elite players -- it also creates a problem around planning. If it's not that far-fetched that James might play in '28, or at least still be capable of it, definitionally it means he's still capable of playing for the Lakers.

Like a lot of things about LeBron, it's an unprecedented set of circumstances facing the team.

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky (with Aaron Larsuel)

 

SEGMENT 1: LeBron James, AD and the Olympics. What made the competition so much fun?

 

SEGMENT 2: What was at stake for James?

 

SEGMENT 3: Is it crazy to think James will play in '28? How can the Lakers plan for the future?

 

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