Lakers finish trip with close loss
There was the stretch when the Cavaliers made three consecutive three-pointers. Ball answered with a step-back 23-footer. The Lakers cut a nine-point lead to three. They cut an 11-point lead to five. They got back within four despite a barrage of second-half turnovers.
“I think we shared the ball so well tonight, I think we fed it into the post more than we ever have, trusting our teammates running the floor, I think everybody contributed and did something tonight,” Ingram said. “The way we shared the basketball is something we want to continue to do as we go along these games, keep trusting each other on the offensive and defensive end.”
James began the day by avoiding the subject on everyone’s mind. He almost never shirks his duties to speak to reporters at some point before a game. James typically addresses reporters after shootaround, with some rare exceptions. He declined Thursday morning, and didn’t speak until after the game, in which he had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
That only led to more speculation about what James’ silence could mean. But that kind of speculation is nothing new to James.
It happened when he purchased a home in the Los Angeles area, when he and his wife toured schools in Sherman Oaks and when he sent a message on Twitter wishing Ball a happy birthday.
“[Ball has] said over and over since he was growing up who he modeled his game after, who was his favorite player,” James said. “It was me. I was humbled by that. Me wishing him happy birthday was kind of the salute back to him. I see all the stupid noise that happens. I can’t buy a place in L.A. I can’t live in L.A. It’s funny noise. But I don’t get involved in it.”
The Lakers’ interest has been obvious. They hoarded salary-cap space during free agency, willing to sign only one-year deals — big ones for the right player, but no more than one year. They used about $18 million of available money to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, whose agent Rich Paul is James’ longtime agent and confidante.
If James leaves Cleveland, he’ll want to leave for a team where he knows he can win and compete for a championship. The Lakers have been clear they want to bring in two stars in free agency next year and add them to what James saw as a talented young core.
That’s a reality not lost on the Lakers’ young players.
“Of course I’m aware of it, we all are,” Kuzma said. “But you know I think we as an organization can’t really bank on trying to get those guys. Other teams want them too. You never know how those guys feel. It’s really just us trying to develop and for us to get better. If we can do that, that’ll be fine, and that will attract people too.”
On Thursday, they showed one probable free agent a group filled with promise.