Lakers' Buss responds to NBA's newest superteam Nets: 'bring it on'
Lakers President Jeanie Buss says the reigning NBA champions are motivated by the emergence of the Brooklyn Nets after seismic moves in the trade deadline.
Los Angeles Lakers CEO and president Jeanie Buss has told the Brooklyn Nets to "bring it on", insisting the star-studded franchise are bringing out the best in the NBA champions.
A new superpower in the East
The Nets have emerged as the NBA's newest superteam after former All-Stars Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge joined Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn.
While the Nets have made moves in the Eastern Conference, Buss and the Lakers are unfazed in the west.
"It brings out the best in us," Buss, whose Lakers are fourth in the Western Conference in the absence of injured superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, told ESPN+ on Monday.
"When teams identify us as the team to beat and they gear up to go at us head-to-head, that makes us work harder.
"So, bring it on."
Andre Drummond: LA's response to the Nets new signings
The Lakers added two-time All-Star Andre Drummond to the roster on Sunday after he cleared waivers.
Drummond – who has not played since February 12 – agreed to a contract buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers last week.
"The addition of Andre Drummond, who we picked up in the buyout market, will certainly fortify a season where we've had to deal with injuries and covid," Buss said.
Gasol back from covid, James and Davis still sidelined
"Having Marc Gasol, who is our starting center, was out for several weeks with covid and a really tough case where he was on a minutes restriction even though he's back in the line-up."
James (ankle) and Davis (calf) remain sidelined, and Buss added: "That's what's important, is they get back healthy -- 100 percent healthy -- before they come back so that they stay healthy for the playoffs."