Stars essential to a successful run

Production from James and a motivated Doncic are big topics as Lakers begin their quest

- THỤC NHI NGUYEN

THE AVAILABILITY OF 40-year-old LeBron James, center, remains a question.

Screens in the practice facility display the Lakers' three mantras. JJ Redick repeats them on a loop. Players have started to parrot them as well.

"Championship habits. Championship communication. Championship shape."

From the team's three points of focus to the black "obsession" T-shirts designed by general manager Rob Pelinka, winning the Lakers' 18th title is task No. 1 in Redick's second season in charge.

Here are five storylines after training camp as the team opens the regular season Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors:

How much will James play?

LeBron James' 23rd NBA season is off to a precarious start as he will miss a regular-season opener for the first time because of a sciatic nerve injury. The soon-to-be 41-year-old still commands the attention of the league, but how much of that focus will be about his on-court exploits this season instead of retirement chatter?

James was already nursing a knee injury in the playoffs last season. After playing in all 82 regular-season games for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017-18, James has averaged 59.9 games in his seven Lakers seasons. He has appeared in more than 70 games in each of the last two years, which has allowed him to stay eligible for postseason awards under the latest collective bargaining agreement, but his streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA teams could be in jeopardy.

He must appear in 65 games to remain eligible for postseason honors and will miss five to nine regular-season games before even being reevaluated because of a sciatic nerve problem, leaving little margin for injury the rest of the season.

How legitimate is Doncic's MVP bid?