Frank Vogel named Avery Bradley as the breakout star of Los Angeles Lakers training camp, praising the guard's defensive effort.

"We've got two of the best players in the world competing together and all anybody's talking about is Avery Bradley's tenaciousness...It's become very clear that coaching against him, [we'd] say, 'Don't dribble the ball. If Avery's on you, pass the ball. Just give it up.' Because you're not going anywhere with a bounce with Avery Bradley on you," said Vogel.

Bradley said he lost 40 points over the offseason.

Vogel also praised Bradley's 3-point shooting ability.

"He's shooting the ball well offensively, too. Talk about his tenaciousness, he's really shooting -- not just corner 3, the arc 3."

Kawhi Leonard became the latest superstar to signal his intent to play for Team USA in the 2020 Olympics.

"Yeah, I do wanna play. I'm taking it one step at a time. Right now it's getting the Clippers to the Finals," said Leonard during Clippers media day. 

James Harden, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Damian Lillard all said they were interested in joining Team USA next summer. 

LeBron James' St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish jersey he wore on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2002 is currently up for auction.

James gave the jersey to its current owner, who attended the high school.

The bidding for the jersey has reached $37,000, with 5% of the proceeds going to the basketball Hall of Fame.

The auction ends on October 19th. 

Kenny Atkinson compared the excitement surrounding the Brooklyn Nets' upcoming season to a European soccer style environment.

"I noticed people outside our practice facility when you drive out. It’s like Real Madrid. I thought it was funny. There’s a different excitement with the fans," observed Atkinson.

Atkinson also noted the difference in energy from the press covering the team, highlighting the intensity of the basketball discussion.

“Well, people showed up to our press conference. First year it was like crickets. I think it’s a presence. And even during camp, they were watching what we’re doing, then they’re talking to players on the side and talking about strategy. They’re hoop junkies. These guys they just want to talk basketball really."

Frank Vogel emphasized defense and physicality for the upcoming Los Angeles Lakers season.

"You're coming to play [the] L.A. Lakers -- you're going to get hit. You're going to get smashed in the mouth," said Vogel following their first practice of training camp.

The Lakers spent an hour dedicated to on-ball defensive drills, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

Anthony Davis added that the Lakers will focus their mentality to getting defensive stops.

"He's a defensive coach and wants to have a defensive mindset. We're going to be a defensive team," added Davis. 

Marc Gasol said that the Toronto Raptors were eager to prove how good they could be without Kawhi Leonard.

"If I had to express it in one word, I would say 'hungry. I think it's a very hungry team. We all understand what Kawhi meant to the team and how well he played in the playoffs. But we also understand how good we can be as a team, said Gasol.

Nick Nurse added that Pascal Siakam will be given a chance to expand his playmaking game this upcoming season.

"He's going to be given a great chance, a great opportunity here to really expand his role and his game. There's going to be lots of opportunity for him to have the ball," added Nurse.

Masai Ujiri said earlier this week that the Raptors are looking to keep Siakam for the long-term. 

Jimmy Butler discussed his personality during an introductory press conference for the Miami Heat, acknowledging that he can get carried away by his passion for the game.

"I don't think I'm that bad of a guy. I'm not an a--hole like everybody thinks that I am. I'm a little extra at times. I don't think there's not too much wrong with that, either. If you do what I do every day, and other people don't go about it that way, I think you might have a problem with it, too. I love my job. I love the game. I love to work. I'm at it every single day at hours and times when people don't want to do it. I think, why doesn't everybody do what I do? To this day, I don't understand it. I really don't. Will I ever understand it? Probably not. Will I overreact? Probably so," said Butler.

Butler added that he sees his mentality in rookie Tyler Herro.

Pat Riley said that Butler's competitive personality fits with the Heat culture.

"We're going to find out throughout the course of the season how he meshes in with our team... We will see what his impact on winning is and that's what I'm encouraged about. I definitely embrace all of the qualities that he has."

Russell Westbrook warned the rest of the NBA about his pairing with James Harden in the Houston Rockets' backcourt.

"It's going to be scary, that's all I can tell you. It's going to be scary -- not for us," said Westbrook.

Westbrook said that he can play off the ball, and is only focused on winning.

"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...that's all I cared about, and that's all I ever cared about," said Westbrook.

James Harden added that he is willing to take a back seat to Westbrook.

"If Russ got it going and Russ is having one of those games that we've all seen before, guess what I'm going to do: sit back and watch the show, and vice versa. It's just a part of basketball."

Kyle Kuzma will sign a sneaker deal with Puma Basketball, league sources told Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Kuzma was previously a Nike athlete.

Kuzma, currently rehabbing a foot injury, has not been cleared to participate in practice.

LeBron James praised Anthony Davis for having a "beautiful young mind" and he expects the Los Angeles Lakers to lean on him heavily this season.

“If we are not playing through Anthony Davis while he is on the floor, there’s no sense to have him on the floor,” James said. “He’s that great. It doesn’t mean every time down, we throw it to him, we throw it to him, we throw it to him. But we have the ability of doing it.”

James was asked whether he believes his dynamic with Davis will impact the free agency decision in 2020 of his new teammate.

“I’m a guy who lives right now. I live in the present,” James said. “If it’s happened in the past, there’s nothing you can do about that. And you have no idea what the future holds. If you start thinking about the future, then you will miss out on a great opportunity right in front of your face. And I think that’s even more selfish. So for me, having AD here right now and having the ballclub, we are not even going to address that during the season. AD will talk about it (eventually). Our goal is to get better every day. Coach (Frank) Vogel and the coaching staff will put us in the best possible chance to win every night.”