Media Day: LeBron, AD, Kuzma Look To Take Lakers Back To NBA Postseason
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - Talk about great expectations.
The new-look Los Angeles Lakers were officially introduced during the team's media day Friday as LeBron James and Anthony Davis look to take the franchise back to the postseason for the first time since 2013.
But fans may need to scale back their high hopes - at least initially - after word that Kyle Kuzma will be sidelined at least until mid-October with a stress reaction in his left foot. Kuzma was injured while training with the U.S. national team in August.
He still hasn't been cleared for practice or game participation.
When asked about domestic violence allegations against DeMarcus Cousins, GM Rob Pelinka said the NBA is investigating and that as of Friday Cousins is "a member of our roster and part of the league."
"We'll just have to wait on guidance from the league for the next steps," Pelinka said.
He also said James and Davis both played an active role in putting together the team's roster this off-season.
Pelinka says he had numerous three-way phone calls and text chains with James and Davis - both of whom he says approved of the Lakers' decision to sign Dwight Howard.
James "was incredibly locked in to the whole process, and has been great to work with," Pelinka said.
A svelte-looking Howard told reporters he was "just happy and grateful to be back in L.A."
The Lakers and four other teams will hold their media day sessions Friday: Houston, Sacramento, Indiana and Brooklyn. Reigning NBA champion Toronto holds its media day on Saturday.
Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers will hold their media day Sunday because they're headed to Hawaii for training camp. The remaining 23 teams have them scheduled for Monday.
