The first full day of practice for the Lakers was, according to all involved, a very well-executed, efficiently run operation. A schedule was presented, it was adhered to. There was, by all accounts, purpose. And this was on the heels of a decision to hold a team dinner earlier this week to discuss expectations and lay out principles, rather than using practice time or extending the obligations players have during the day.

In some ways, these are minor details - though clearly players are interested in pointing out the contrasts between Redick and his predecessor, when it comes to attention to detail and efficiency.

These are all critical mechanisms for Redick, a first time coach at any level, to establish credibility with his players, who (despite early endorsements) are almost certainly reserving a little bit of judgment for a guy who has never coached at any professional level. These early days are more important for Redick than they might be for any other coach in the league, even the other guys who are new with their teams.

So far, it seems, so good. So how is Redick going to make sure his attention to detail doesn't become overwhelming for players, to where the forest gets lost for the trees?

Meanwhile, a lot of high praise early for Max Christie... is he ready to step up and fill the role the Lakers are clearly expecting him to play? He's one of the nine guys Redick plans to use in his rotation. But it'll likely be nine, and not more. At least for now.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: JJ Redick is running an efficient operation!

SEGMENT 2: Redick is planning a nine man rotation.

SEGMENT 3: Is Christie Ready?

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Monday was Media Day across the NBA, and in El Segundo there where plenty of open questions that were addressed, at least a little, as every Lakers player took a turn at the podium to answer questions.

A few themes emerged...

LeBron James said his Olympic experience was valuable on multiple fronts. First, it reminded him of the feeling that comes with playing truly consequential games for ultimate prizes, and that was something he clearly enjoyed. From there, James said the experience of playing with the Team USA crew, including a lot of young players like Anthony Edwards, was an invigorating experience, one that's continued moving into camp as he has the chance to practice with his son. Put it all together, and the whole deal was a reminder not just that he could still play, but that he has a lot -- a lot -- left in the tank. This isn't a guy who thinks he'll need to hang it up anytime soon, if he doesn't want to.

Anthony Davis, meanwhile, talked about the potential for internal improvement with these Lakers, and the capacity to be better than people might expect. He too seemed to appreciate what it meant to play with Team USA and have the type of impact he did. It's clear, as well, that while he fully believes he'll never win a Defensive Player of the Year award, he wants to make the slight so obvious that the voters will cast their ballots with a sense of real shame.

D'Angelo Russell? He's a huge fan of JJ Redick, and at the risk of speculating beyond his words... is a bigger fan than he was of Darvin Ham. An appreciation of Redick in these early days was a common theme among the players. They praised his communication, organization and attention to detail, and while the intention wasn't explicitly to disparage the previous regime, it's easy to be left with the impression that a few of the players at least didn't mind of that's where the mind of the listener went.

Russell said this year he's really hoping to tighten things up and gain the trust of Redick, which has to happen on the defensive end first and foremost. That means paying attention to detail, and more broadly making sure that he's always a positive influence and providing constructive energy, something he admitted hasn't always been the case through his career.

And the injuries! Christian Wood? Very optimistic! Jarred Vanderbilt? Seemed... less so.

Plenty to highlight on a busy day for the Lakers.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers kick off the season with Media Day, and LeBron says he's got a lot left.

SEGMENT 2: Good early reviews for Redick.

SEGMENT 3: Candid D'Lo...

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It's Media Day in El Segundo, which means the official start of the 2024-25 season.

So what is this year going to bring? Well, it starts with a massive trade that could shake up the Western Conference, as Minnesota is planning to send Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for forward and old friend Julius Randle along with guard Dante DiVincenzo. For a team like Minnesota, that made a Western Conference Finals for the first time in the last 63 years, this sort of deal has the potential to make them worse. And anything that makes a conference rival worse helps the Lakers, even if it's just for that opening night matchup. The Lakers need all the help they can get to get off to a strong start, and a Wolves team playing the getting-to-know-you game that early in the year could help LA.

Meanwhile, the minute Towns was sent (or will be, once it's official) to New York, that put speculation out there that maybe Mitchell Robinson, their incumbant (and injured) center might be available. Would it make sense for the Lakers to kick the tires, even if he's going to be out until December, at the earliest?

On paper, it's a nice fit... but what about the practical issues a trade presents?

The Lakers do, after all, need a big body. They admitted as much, at least after JJ Redick tried to talk around it last week meeting the media.

So what comes next?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: A blockbuster in the West. How does it impact the Lakers?

SEGMENT 2: Could the Lakers swing a deal for Robinson?

SEGMENT 3: Redick talks C, then the Lakers backtrack.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - guaranteed ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)