While LeBron James had already played his first game as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Tuesday night was his first time taking the court at Staples Center with the home crowd fully behind him.
Hours before his Lakers debut at Staples Center, James said he considered the moment exciting and a “new beginning” for him. He and the entire Lakers roster were treated to a renovated locker room that the team didn’t unveil to the public before tipoff.
There was a noticeable buzz when the team took the court for warmups, and that carried into pregame introductions.