Christian Wooden stated, “There's a variety of false narratives about me,” a lot of it stemming from the Lakers turning into the eighth staff he's joined in 9 seasons within the NBA.
Throughout his session on the Lakers' media day on Monday, he stated he's extra “motivated” than ever to show his naysayers fallacious.
Wooden's critics say the 6-foot-9 ahead all the time wished extra pictures on offense, wished to play extra minutes and his protection was missing.
Signing with the Lakers late in free company on Sept. 5 for the veteran's minimal of two years and $5.74 million was one thing critics pointed to as proof of such expertise.
Wooden smiled when speaking about these perceptions, displaying that he's very conscious of them and that he'll have an opportunity to shine with the Lakers.
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“I've seen a variety of speak about, 'Why is it going to the vet minimal? Perhaps it's character points. Perhaps it's this. Perhaps that's it,” Wooden stated. “However in the event you actually have a look at it, I've by no means had an issue on a staff, besides perhaps in Houston, and that was due to defending a teammate, and in the event you ask me, I'd most likely do it once more. However aside from that, I've by no means had an issue with any staff, I've by no means had an issue within the dressing room. Each coach I talked to beloved me.”
Wooden has a earlier relationship with Lakers coach Darwin Ham from their days in Milwaukee, the place Ham was an assistant coach and Woods was in his third season within the NBA.
That helped so much when the Lakers pursued Wooden.
It additionally didn't damage that he averaged 16.6 factors and seven.3 rebounds final season with the Dallas Mavericks. Or that he shot 58.3% from the sphere and 37.6% from three-point vary.
“Darvin Ham is rooting for me,” Wooden stated. “That is the man who all the time cheered for me. So I’ll say that I’ve so much to show and this may most likely be certainly one of my most motivated seasons since going undrafted.”
Listed below are three takeaways from Monday's Lakers media:
1) At 28 years previous and with a ton of abilities, particularly offensively, Wooden admitted he wish to make a house with the Lakers.
He grew up in Lengthy Seaside and has all the time been a Lakers fan. He’s now on the staff.
“Yeah certain.” That is my hometown staff. I'm from Lengthy Seaside. I grew up watching this staff,” Wooden stated. “I grew up a Kobe Bryant fan. I need to be right here long-term.”
Wooden's skill to stretch the courtroom with outdoors taking pictures ought to open up house for Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Wooden will comply with their lead and hope the 2 of them give him his first profession style of the playoffs. Wooden, in flip, hopes he can play a task in serving to the Lakers win their 18th NBA championship.
“I’ve one aim. My aim is to make the playoffs. I haven't been to the playoffs in my profession,” he stated. “In order that's an enormous factor for me. It's actually like the primary factor for me, , the last word final aim. All people needs to win a championship, and I believe one of many issues Bron was saying to me over the summer season, him and AD, in addition to the recruiting course of, is, 'We're going to concentrate on staff objectives and never particular person objectives.' In order that's what I'm specializing in this season. Eighteen is what we need to get.”
2) When Rui Hachimura spoke to the media on Monday, LeBron James yelled, “Ruiiiiiii!” Hachimura smiled, one other signal of how shut the 2 had develop into.
It began when Hachimura was traded from the Washington Wizards in January and prolonged into this summer season after they labored collectively.
James stated he referred to as Hachimru “my 'Daniel-san' and I'm 'Mr. Miyagi.” And I name him my substitute.”
It didn't matter when James arrived on the Lakers apply facility to start out understanding. Hachimura can be prepared there.
“Me and him labored so much within the center posts and people areas,” Hachimura stated. “And naturally we shot and dealt with the ball so much. General, it's the entire bundle. However footwork and stuff, that was my principal aim for this summer season. Footwork will actually assist my recreation in numerous methods. So I simply watched him intently and he taught me a variety of little tips, pointers, footwork. Such issues. And use the physique. He stated he and I’ve an identical physique kind. That's what he stated. So, that's the factor, when you’ve got that physique kind, you should use the physique and get to the place. It's a straightforward shot. So I've labored with him on stuff like that and I believe I've discovered so much from him.”
Ham stated Davis, James, Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell can be the 4 starters final week.
That leaves one place to gather.
Hachimura began 9 video games in the course of the common season for the Lakers and one within the playoffs.
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He was requested if he wished to be the beginning energy ahead this season, particularly after re-signing with the Lakers to a four-year, $51 million contract.
“For me, greater than beginning or not, I believe enjoying time issues,” Hachimura stated. “Enjoying time is extra vital to me and I need to end the sport. That's my principal factor. And regardless of the coaches resolve, I'm right here for it. I'm advantageous with no matter they resolve, however I need to end the sport. That's my aim.”
3) James admitted Monday that he’s “” in enjoying within the Olympics in Paris subsequent summer season.
When the video games start in July, he will likely be 39 and in his twenty first season within the NBA. He has already performed in three Olympics, profitable gold in 2008 and 2012 and bronze in 2004.
“We'll see what occurs,” James stated. “However by way of the bodily load, I don't know, we'll see how I really feel on the finish of the season.” However by way of the gamers that we’ve right here that I can consider off the highest of my head that would fill the roster, I don't suppose it could be an excessive amount of of a bodily toll. I wouldn't should do a lot. I imply, rebound a little bit bit, move a little bit bit, defend, block some pictures, . However we'll see. We’ll see what occurs.”
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This story initially appeared within the Los Angeles Instances.
