After a whitewash in last season’s Western Conference finals, the Los Angeles Lakers are aiming for a comeback. The team has already started their preparations for the upcoming season to get their team dynamic right. In the midst of it all, LeBron James unraveled a Karate Kid reference for their Japanese player.

The talisman used the infamous character from the movie, Mr. Miyagi, as an example while addressing the international star. It revealed an interesting aspect of the team chemistry, as the franchise looked focused on the task.

What did LeBron James mention?

The majority of the members of the Lakers roster arrived a day early into the preseason to hone their skills. In a squad revolving around LeBron, the rising stars looked up to him for direction. This list included the Japanese power forward, Rui Hachimura, who joined the side in January 2023.

According to general manager Rob Pelinka, the 25-year-old has been trying to catch up with the 4-time champion. The Laker executive explained it as “a personal renaissance” as Hachimura “spent most of his time training with LeBron”. Rui appreciated the words from the GM as he admired the guidance of James publicly.

It caught the attention of the man himself, as the 19-time All-Star repaid the trust shown in him with a movie reference. LeBron James shared a GIF from the 1984 classic The Karate Kid?where Mr. Miyagi was seen training a young Daniel LaRusso. The post showcased his affection towards the rising talent as his influence became public knowledge again.

This entire display displayed the immense amount of respect the 4-time MVP carried within the roster. As he continued to inspire others to become a better version of themselves, the Lakers Nation awaited one answer.

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Can these endeavors help the franchise win their 18th championship?

The arrival of LeBron James to the City of Angels was bound to be this influential to begin with. The 38-year-old proved his worth to the organization once before, when the team won the 2020 NBA title. Since then, though, the squad has struggled to keep up with the other franchises.

Even in this time of uncertainty, the impact of LeBron James has not diminished one bit. He has changed the fortunes of many in the past, and he aims to repeat it again in the next season. Still training like a rookie ahead of his 21st season, the fanbase has high hopes for their star.

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From guiding the teammates to making a difference on the court, he is one way the Mr. Miyagi of LA Lakers. After all, he is the embodiment of “You trust the quality of what you know, not quantity,? in his truest form.