The Los Angeles Lakers made a lowkey very impactful trade last season.

Acquiring Rui Hachimura was very valuable for Darvin Ham’s team, as he was a part of a frontcourt logjam and was never going to take off with the Washington Wizards.

But Hachimura was a natural fit in Los Angeles, working closely with their player development staff and providing a big boost on both ends of the floor, even in the playoffs.

And now that he’s extended his stay in Southern California, it seems like Hachimura is looking forward to learning from the best of the best.

According to GM Rob Pelinka, he’s spent plenty of time working out with LeBron James and soaking in as much information as he can, up to the point where LeBron now calls him his understudy, via Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Rob Pelinka says Rui Hachimura arriving in LA was a “personal renaissance” for Hachimura, who’s been working closely with and learning from LeBron.

“I think he’s just hitting the takeoff of the flight he’s about to go on,” Pelinka said.

“Bron calls him his understudy,” Darvin…

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— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) September 28, 2023

Hachimura is a gifted athlete with a strong build and big arms, just like LeBron.

Needless to say, they’re not in the same stratosphere in terms of play, and Hachimura is obviously way more limited, but this could do wonders for him.

James knows how to make the most of his body and big frame better than most players in the league, and Hachimura has a similar body type.

His strength allows him to hold his own against bigger players, and he was even sent out there to guard some centers.

Hachimura is expected to have a significant role off the bench next season, and he’s earning every single penny of that deal.

The post Lakers GM Says Veteran Has Been Working Closely With LeBron James appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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As coach of Team USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Steve Kerr relied on Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves a lot.

He was impressed by what the young player was capable of and he believed him.

However, that wasn’t always the case.

Speaking with ESPN, Edwards revealed that Kerr once grilled him about his effort and workout process.

According to Edwards, Kerr said: “You’ve got to see Steph, KD, and Klay work out…You didn’t work hard enough.”

He added: “If we had the No. 1 pick, we wouldn’t take you.”

Anthony Edwards credits Steve Kerr for becoming "a madman in the gym."

He spoke to Jamal Collier about the formative interaction https://t.co/T0o49FISI9 pic.twitter.com/nP4n3dDNTp

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 29, 2023

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Edwards said the comments came when he was working out in preparation for the league.

At the time, Edwards was seen as the top pick in that draft class.

Sure enough, he was ultimately selected by the Timberwolves at the start of the 2020 draft.

But if Kerr and former team president Bob Myers had the first choice, they would have passed on Edwards.

The guard admitted to ESPN that he was shocked by Kerr’s words – but they did inspire him.

He and his trainer then met to find ways to push himself more and make Kerr and the rest of the NBA proud.

It apparently worked because Kerr was very supportive and blown away by Edwards during his recent World Cup run.

Edwards posted 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during the tournament.

Although Team USA ultimately didn’t find the success they wanted in the World Cup, Edwards played well and Kerr was very happy with his output.

Kerr was giving Edwards tough love all those years ago and it has definitely paid off.

Now, people are expecting great things from him as he enters his fourth season in the NBA.

The post Steve Kerr Had Big Message To Anthony Edwards After Pre-Draft Workout appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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LeBron James is one of the best players in the NBA, even when entering Year 21 of his career.

But James hasn’t maintained that status by relaxing during his free time.

Instead, he works extremely hard on his craft and goes above and beyond to stay in top-notch shape entering a regular season.

It seems that the 38-year-old has taken things up a notch ahead of the 2023-24 season.

LeBron recently shared an Instagram story, via Bleacher Report on Twitter, showing that he was working out at 3:00 a.m. and NBA fans had various reactions to it.

Bron in the lab at 3 AM during off-season

Out here training like he's a rookie

(via @Lakers) pic.twitter.com/W81D8D8OI6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 29, 2023

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Yep he winning a ring

— 𝓓 𝓡 𝓐 𝓒 𝓞 (@UpThaDraco) September 29, 2023

Does this mean he’s gonna get back on defense now

— Oasis MMAov (@OasisMma) September 29, 2023

Training like he always has. Longevity by design

— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) September 29, 2023

Greatest Player in NBA history.

GOAT James.

— Jim Kryjer (@jimkryjer) September 29, 2023

The motivation to continue grinding 20 years in is incredible. It’s hard to get to the top, it’s harder to stay at the top

— GOAT James (@BronToAD) September 29, 2023

James has been a phenomenal player throughout his 20-year career in the NBA.

But even after two decades in the NBA, James is training as if he’s a rookie playing his first season in the league.

Considering how James is preparing for the new season, it seems almost unbelievable that he was on the verge of retiring after the 2023 playoffs.

As for his stats, James put up 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game last season.

Despite having such numbers, James couldn’t help the Los Angeles Lakers get past the Western Conference Finals.

With that failure in mind, it seems he’s hungrier than ever to win another NBA championship.

Moreover, the 38-year-old will finally be at 100% after battling injuries throughout last season.

James will be the primary superstar of the Lakers, but the organization has added many key role players to the roster ahead of the upcoming season.

Keeping that in mind, if James leads the Lakers to another title, it won’t be a surprise.

The post Fans React To LeBron James’ Remarkable Offseason Plans appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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