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Lakers story lines: Five things to watch as the season begins

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 story lines after training camp as the team opens the regular season Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors:

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.