James: Durant is a Hall of Fame-level star, but the Rockets are not a team that relies solely on him.

On April 17 Beijing time, the Lakers conducted training to prepare for their first-round playoff series against the Rockets. After the training session, James spoke with the media. Here are the relevant details—

Reporter: How do you evaluate the team's preparation training for this series?

James: We must be fully focused and committed. Our training quality over the past few days has been very high, and we will maintain that high level tomorrow. We'll also allocate some time on Saturday (local time, same below) to fully prepare for the first game of the series. Ultimately, this is the state we should have maintained throughout the entire season.

Reporter: Even with ample preparation time this week, what is the feeling of preparing for the playoffs this time? Is the mindset the same as before?

James: Yes, it is high-intensity competitive basketball itself. Whenever there are decisive, crucial games, their weight and importance are naturally completely different.

Reporter: What are the key points against the opponent? What aspects require special attention?

James: First, regarding Durant, I mentioned during our last visit to Houston that his performance in recent years has been exceptionally outstanding—that's one point. Obviously, everyone knows the threat posed by this superstar, but don't forget, the entire Houston Rockets roster has tremendous depth, with many high-quality players. This is definitely not a team that depends on just one person; it's about the strength of the whole team. Undoubtedly, Durant will always perform at his expected level—he is a Hall of Fame-caliber star, and everyone knows that. So our preparation cannot focus solely on him; we must address the entire team.

Reporter: As you mentioned LeBron, Sengun clearly possesses dominant ability and is a threat on both offense and defense. What challenges does he bring on the court?

James: He is just another top-tier player in the league. Every player on their roster is strong. We must be fully alert—from Durant, Sengun, Thompson, to Jabari-Smith, Sheppard, in short, all Rockets players who step onto the court pose a threat, and we must be prepared.

Reporter: Each playoff faces unique challenges. This year, mentally and physically, have you made any additional adjustments to help yourselves focus better?

James: For me, the transition from regular season to playoffs doesn't drastically change the daily routine; the only difference is that focus must be heightened to a greater degree. Personal preparation habits remain unchanged. The biggest difference in the playoffs is that you face the same team at least four consecutive times. Therefore, study and targeted planning become more detailed and comprehensive. The regular season schedule is packed, with opponents changing every few days—the rhythm is entirely different. In the playoffs, there's no frequent rotation of opponents; you can't rely on last-minute adjustments before a game or hastily adapt after one game to a new opponent. We need to deeply refine our approach for different scenarios and details.

Reporter: Although this season's opponent differs from last season, last year you also had a week off before the first game, and the start showed a clear lack of intensity and physical toughness. Are you concerned about repeating that this year?

James: No, the situation is different, the year is different, and we simply don't dwell on last year. The past is behind us; there's no need to mention it again. We are now fully focused on preparing for Saturday's game, and the training effectiveness at this stage is very ideal.

Reporter: Regarding tactical preparation and coaching arrangements, do you proactively offer suggestions and express your views?

James: I currently have no additional suggestions. The coaching staff has been developing tactics and refining the system for us throughout the entire season, and our 53 wins this season are the best proof. We just need to continue learning and executing the plans. The training quality on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday has been maximized, and tomorrow will be the same—just wait for the game to start.

Reporter: Bronny recently returned to the team's rotation. How do you view his value in playing during the playoffs?

James: Every moment I can share the court with him is especially precious to me—from the regular season, training camp, daily practices, to the playoffs. Playing alongside him is one of the most treasured experiences of my career. Given all the past ups and downs, the opportunity for him to get playing time is rare and very inspiring. Hard work pays off, and he is ready.

Reporter: You consistently emphasize adaptability on the court. What impact has this philosophy brought to the team overall?

James: You need to ask all my teammates about that; I cannot answer for others. I only focus on myself and the team's needs, striving to deliver the best performance.

Reporter: At this stage of your career, you've maintained a mindset of living in the present. Can this mindset help you ignore external distractions and focus on the immediate task?

James: Yes, we live in the present. Today's training was effective, and we absorbed the tactical content from the previous two days. We will continue to thoroughly understand all tactical details and implement them in tomorrow's training, fully preparing for the first game. The past is settled; seizing the present is most important. I am satisfied with the team's current preparation rhythm. There are still a few days before the game starts, and we will continue to settle down and complete all preparation work.

Reporter: The Rockets are a top rebounding team in the league, one of the best rebounding teams over the past 25 years. How will you emphasize to your teammates the importance of playoff intensity, positioning, and rebounding?

James: What else needs to be emphasized? Everyone is a professional; just fulfill their respective roles. It's like facing a top passing team—you don't need to repeatedly remind about defensive strategies; the reasoning is obvious. Everyone knows that fully committing to positioning, aggressively fighting for rebounds, and doing their job is the core requirement.