The Latest from NBA media days on Friday (all times EST):
3 p.m.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka says LeBron James and Anthony Davis had an active role in the construction of the team’s roster this summer.
The Lakers opened their annual media day Friday with optimistic comments from Pelinka and new coach Frank Vogel about the roster assembled around the franchise’s superstars.
Pelinka says he had numerous three-way phone calls and text chains with James and Davis, who was acquired in July. James and Davis approved of the Lakers’ decision to sign Dwight Howard.
The GM says James ”was incredibly locked in to the whole process, and has been great to work with.”
– Greg Beacham in El Segundo, California
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1:30 p.m.
Kyrie Irving believes Kevin Durant was rushed back to play in the NBA Finals before he was ready.
Irving said Friday during Nets media day the decision to bring Durant back in Game 5 in Toronto was made ”to end up selling a product that came before the person, Kevin.”
Durant had been recovering from a calf injury earlier in the postseason when he returned to play for Golden State in Game 5. He lasted just 12 minutes before going down with a ruptured Achilles tendon that required surgery.
Irving adds that Durant ”was not ready to play in that environment. We all know that, whether people want to admit it or not.”
The two All-Stars then signed with the Brooklyn Nets in July. The Nets say they expect Durant to miss the season, though the All-Star forward says he makes his own decisions.
– Brian Mahoney in New York
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12:10 p.m.
Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo still hasn’t set a target date for his return – but he is back on the court less eight months after rupturing a quad tendon in his right knee.
The two-time All-Star suffered the season-ending injury Jan, 24. Coach Nate McMillan and president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard have remained relatively quiet about when they expect to have Oladipo back.
But center Myles Turner is hopeful Oladipo returns in December or January.
”I’ve heard some people say after the All-Star break, but I just know how Vic’s wired,” Turner said Friday at the team’s annual media day. ”He’s been attacking the whole process. He’s already doing stuff on the court.”
Oladipo says Wolverine has always been his favorite comic book character because he has the ability to heal himself.
– Michael Marot in Indianapolis
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9:15 a.m.
LeBron James is expected to speak about a season of great expectations for himself and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers, as the annual rundown of media days get underway around the NBA.
The Lakers are among five teams holding their media-day sessions Friday, the others include Houston, Sacramento, Indiana and Brooklyn. Reigning NBA champion Toronto holds its media day on Saturday.
Those teams were permitted to open training camps earlier than most because of the league’s rule allowing those clubs going overseas for preseason games to get some additional preparation time.
The Los Angeles Clippers have media day on Sunday because they’re headed to Hawaii for training camp. The remaining 23 teams have them scheduled for Monday.
The first preseason game is Monday, with the Rockets playing host to the Shanghai Sharks.
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