James was "sent down" to the G League! How can this even be criticized? Actually, Curry went through the same experience!

In the second game of a five-game road trip, the Lakers overcame the Hornets 121-111, erasing the gloom from their last big loss to the weakened Hawks.

Doncic put up 38 points, 6 boards, and 7 assists; Reeves scored 24; Hachimura added 21; Ayton contributed 14; and Smart had 13.

Winning against the Hornets isn’t surprising; losing to them would be.

For the team, the true challenge lies in the day after tomorrow’s matchup against the reigning champion Thunder.

After 11 games, with 8 wins and 3 losses, the Lakers’ start to the new season has been overall satisfactory. Especially considering all three star players have been dealing with injuries.

Before today’s game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick announced:LeBron James, sidelined due to right sciatic nerve pain, will be training with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate, during this period.

The 40-year-old James has been out since October 9th due to sciatic nerve pain, and the team has not yet announced a return timeline.

This "demotion" only indicates one thing: his return is approaching.

As fans, we can understand joking around.

For example, memes like "Bronny is on the Lakers main roster while LeBron gets sent down to the G League," and the like.

However, if you use this to belittle LeBron, it’s unconvincing, and I can’t comprehend many haters’ comments (nor do I need to).

This is not a traditional player demotion; it’s a routine step for a superstar recovering from injury.

Curry has been there many times too.

To add, Curry once played G League scrimmages and even lost because he missed a game-winning shot...

Taking LeBron’s situation as a reference, I’m reminded of Yang Hansen.

Just recently, the Trail Blazers lost to the Magic on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Bain.

This team is remarkable; no matter win or lose, they always fight till the end. Without so-called "garbage time," young Yang would find it hard to get minutes anytime soon...

As Chinese fans or media, don’t view training or playing in the G League as something "shameful."

In recent years, more and more teams send young players to their G League affiliates for training before recalling them for main team games.

The Bulls’ 12th pick Essengue has long been assigned to the G League.

If the 12th pick goes there, what’s wrong with the 16th pick doing the same?

Another point everyone should understand is this.

Since the start of the new NBA season, there has actually been very little team training time in the past few months, referring to full-team practices.

The main reason is simply lack of time.

Each NBA regular season has an average of 82 games per team, including many back-to-back games and cross-time-zone travel.

For example, flying from Los Angeles to Boston takes about six hours.

The Trail Blazers have traveled a cumulative 82,000 kilometers this season, the longest in the league.

Therefore, during the regular season, high-intensity 5-on-5 training sessions are rarely scheduled, especially for key players who need to conserve energy for games and recover afterward.

Teams also require time for video analysis.

According to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, teams must ensure player rest, mandating at least18 mandatory rest days(non-game and non-practice days) each season.

On game days, high-intensity training is prohibited; players can only do light shooting warm-ups or tactical reviews.

Also, you can see NBA players do a lot of targeted training during the off-season.

For example, Wembanyama studies Hakeem Olajuwon’s dream footwork, training skills in the off-season and maintaining form during the season — a league-wide consensus.

Even a star like Durant trains hard in the summer.

Given this, what can rookies who aren’t getting playing time do to improve?

The G League is an excellent platform for that.

At the same time, this demands strong self-discipline from players.

The original "King of the Gun" Arenas once said:

“NBA training is scarce; the hardest thing in the NBA isn’t playing basketball but not turning into someone who hangs out at strip clubs, nightclubs, or just wants to smoke weed all day.”

In this ruthless league, there’s no so-called "parental guidance," unlike the CBA, where teams organize schedules and have lengthy off-season training camps.

If you don’t improve, many others are eyeing your spot.

Every year the NBA drafts a 16th pick; if this year’s doesn’t work out, someone else can be selected next year.

Yao Ming’s words:“No one will be responsible for you” are becoming increasingly meaningful...