NBA Media Day on Sep. 27: Harden, James willing to attend 2020 Olympics
Li Xiang

Five NBA teams – the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets, the Brooklyn Nets, the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers - broke their month-long silence with Media Day events on Saturday. Multiple super stars shared their expectations on the new season and gave some interesting answers to reporters' questions.

Lakers: James interested in joining Team USA's 'Avengers' in Tokyo

LeBron James (L) and Anthony Davis (R) of the Los Angeles Lakers post to take photo on Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

LeBron James (L) and Anthony Davis (R) of the Los Angeles Lakers post to take photo on Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

LeBron James, who will be 35 years old in three months and missed the playoffs for the first time in 14 years, was still the center of the event held the by the purple and gold. "The King" expressed his gratitude towards the Lakers front office for their excellent work this summer, especially the part of landing Anthony Davis. As for his new super star partner, James spared no compliments.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers answers questions at the press conference of the team's Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers answers questions at the press conference of the team's Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

"It's exciting to have a beautiful young mind and a great leader as well. I know the caliber of player that AD is, not only from a basketball standpoint but a leadership standpoint and what he can bring to any franchise. When (general manager) Rob (Pelinka) and everyone upstairs did what they had to do to acquire a talent and person as AD, I was truly excited."

"We got a brand-new coaching staff and brand-new players coming to our system, but we do all know how good Anthony Davis is. If we're not playing through Anthony Davis while he's on the floor, then it makes no sense to have him on the floor. Because he's that great," said James.

Team USA suffered their most painful failure in the FIBA Basketball World in China by ranking only No. 7 in the end. Many expected the NBA's home to send their best squad to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo for vengeance. When asked if he will join the team, James said: "I don't know, I would love to. I want to stay healthy as well, that's the most important…I will address it at some point, hopefully I can have an opportunity for conversation with coach Pop (Gregg Popovich), to see what his direction is going forward with Team USA. I will always bleed red, white and blue, that's for sure."

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers answers questions at the press conference of the team's Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers answers questions at the press conference of the team's Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Though Davis has already established his reputation as one of the best big men in today's NBA, this will the first time he will play for a strong team, especially alongside James. Will they be able to get good chemistry? How far can the Lakers go in the new season? There are simply too many questions waiting for the possible new leaders of the purple and gold in the future.

"We're going to feed off each other tremendously. I think we're two guys who are very selfless and just want to win. When we have two guys like that it makes both of our jobs easier. Again we also have other guys around who also want to win, who are going to help us along the way," said Davis.

Rockets: Can Harden and Westbrook work together?

Russell Westbrook (L) and James Harden (R) of the Houston Rockets pose to take photo on Media Day, Spetember 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Russell Westbrook (L) and James Harden (R) of the Houston Rockets pose to take photo on Media Day, Spetember 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Rockets were one of the most eye-catching teams this summer as they sent away Chris Paul to introduce Russell Westbrook. A new pair of MVPs after Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant in 2017 will work together in one organization. Can they pull it off?

James Harden of the Houston Rockets pose to take photo on Media Day, Spetember 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

James Harden of the Houston Rockets pose to take photo on Media Day, Spetember 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

"He (Westbrook) comes to an entirely different chapter in his life to just go out and play. He doesn't have to stress and worry about the pressure of carrying an entire organization. I'm excited for him. The front office, coaches and teammates are all excited, too. We've accomplished a lot of individual accolades. Now it's time to accomplish something together that we haven't accomplished before," said Harden.

Westbrook who finished his last three straight seasons with triple-double already has a tag on him, yelling "give me the ball." How he and Harden can balance the ball possessions is the biggest question of if their partnership will work. However, Westbrook did not seem to think it's going to be a problem.

Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets pose to take photo on Media Day, Spetember 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets pose to take photo on Media Day, Spetember 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

"I don't have to have the ball to impact the game. I don't have to score, I don't have to do anything. I can defend, I can rebound, I can pass, I can lead. Our main goal, main focus, is to win. I can go be scoreless, and if we win, that's the best thing that ever happened. That's … all I ever cared about…My goal is to win a championship. So whatever it takes to do that, that's what I'm going to do," said Westbrook.

Harden has played for Team USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and the 2014 World Cup in Spain. When asked if he will do it again, he said: "Of course that's one of my goals to represent the USA and represent this beautiful country."

Nets: Health comes first for Durant

Kyrie Irving (L) and Kevin Durant (R) of the Brooklyn Nets pose to take photo on Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Kyrie Irving (L) and Kevin Durant (R) of the Brooklyn Nets pose to take photo on Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Kevin Durant suffered Achilles tendon injury in his right calf in Game 5 on behalf of the Golden State Warriors against the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals. That unfortunate accident not only put an end to the Warriors' chase for three consecutive championships, but also ended a period for Durant's career in the team. As he joined the Nets, there have been various reports and rumors about when he will come back. This week, the team's general manager Sean Marks said that they don't expect KD to play in the 2019-20 season. On Saturday, KD confirmed the news.

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets answers questions at the press conference of the team's Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets answers questions at the press conference of the team's Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

"Me and Sean have been in contact since day one, so if he says it, then it came from me. We came together and made sure that was the message. Any time he comes out here and says something, you don't have to ask me right after him, because I'm gonna say the same thing."

"I'm not going to do anything extra. Just do what I usually do. Work hard in my rehab, hopefully that sends a great message out. If anyone has a question on anything, whether in practice or a game, I know the game pretty well, so I can answer those questions quickly and honestly as I can and just try to approach it as an everyday manner and then try to take it a day at a time. I'm just going to be myself," said Durant.

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets answers questions at the press conference of the team's Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets answers questions at the press conference of the team's Media Day, September 27, 2019. /VCG Photo

As KD's "best friend," Kyrie Irving joined hands with Durant in Brooklyn this summer after two disappointing seasons in the Boston Celtics. "In terms of being a leader in that environment (in Boston), I failed," said Irving.

The six-time All-Star guard apparently was more than willing to defend KD. "A lot of people have responsibilities for why that happened on a national stage. We all know K was not ready to play in that environment. We all know that, whether people want to admit it or not…And now I am here to protect that. I am going to be the protector and not let anyone infiltrate that circle. 'Hey K, do you. Get right. We'll be fine,'" said Irving.