Training camp just tipped off, the teams are fired up, and that energy even shines through their T-shirts’ motto. It’s the second year with JJ Redick at the helm, and while much has changed, some things remain the same. The Lakers still boast two basketball giants—but the duo has shifted: it’s no longer LeBron and Anthony Davis, it’s LeBron and Luka Dončić. And the goal? Still the same: chasing another championship.

The Lakers hit the practice court rocking what looked like a simple black tee, but it wasn’t so basic after all. Boldly printed across it in all caps was “OBSESS18N,” with “2026” and “LA” flanking the statement. Any hardcore Lakers fan or even Celtics fans, know the significance of the number 18. The message? Crystal clear. The Lakers are sending a warning to their longtime rivals in Boston: stay out of their way, because they’re gunning for their 18th championship and ready to tie the score with the Celtics.

The 2023-24 NBA season ended with the Boston Celtics making history. In a commanding 106-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the Finals, the Celtics captured their 18th championship banner. That victory not only snapped a 16-year title drought, their last coming back in 2008, but also moved them past their fiercest rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, for the most championships in league history. For Celtics fans, it was the ultimate statement, cementing their place atop the NBA’s all-time leaderboard.

The Lakers, however, could argue they touched “18” first. Earlier that season, they lifted the trophy in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, a brand-new competition introduced by the league. Still, it didn’t carry the same weight as the Larry O’Brien Championship. The banner that truly counts went to Boston, and they now stand alone at the top. As the new season tips off, the Lakers have made their intentions clear: they want their own real 18th title to even the score.

Two franchises. Thirty-five NBA titles between them. One coast-to-coast rivalry that has defined basketball for generations. The Celtics might have the slight edge historically, winning 55 percent of their regular-season matchups and 58 percent of playoff duels, with much of that damage done back in the ’60s when Boston racked up six Finals wins against L.A.

But the Lakers have had their moments too—1985, 1987, and 2010 are etched in gold for Hollywood’s heroes. When it comes to titles, Boston sits at 18 to L.A.’s 17, with nine of those Celtics victories coming directly against the Lakers. The stats make it clear: this is a rivalry where history matters, but every season still has its own story to tell.

Enter Luka Dončić, the newest twist in Los Angeles’ saga. Celtics fans might remember 2024 when Luka’s Dallas squad ran into Boston in the playoffs—he poured in 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, but the Mavericks still fell short. Fast forward to now: Luka is donning the purple and gold, and it’s a very different script. He signed a three-year extension on the first day it was offered, cementing his commitment.

Already, he sits behind only Shai and Jokić in MVP odds, and with the global pull of Jordan Brand, the Lakers’ worldwide reach, and Luka’s natural charisma, he’s stepped into a leadership role that sometimes even overshadows 40-year-old LeBron.

His first glimpses in Los Angeles set the tone. No. 77 jerseys filled every seat, and LeBron even wore one during warmups. Luka helped the Lakers rack wins over teams like the Nuggets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, Pacers, and Knicks.

He’s also leveled up physically: slimmer, faster, more agile, answering critiques from Dallas and showing why he belongs in Hollywood. Leadership has been the final piece. Luka reflected, “I mean, it was probably just something I needed to do. I’ve been through a lot of basketball now.”

With history, talent, and Luka now leading the charge, this Lakers-Celtics rivalry is primed for yet another unforgettable chapter, even with LeBron absent. 

LeBron sits out, Redick calls it “Uncharted Territory”

LeBron James wasn’t on the floor when the Lakers opened training camp, and it wasn’t because he felt like taking a day off. The 40-year-old sat out with what coach JJ Redick called “a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute.”

It sounds minor, but with LeBron about to become the first player ever to reach 23 NBA seasons, the Lakers are being extra careful. As Redick put it, “It’s probably a little bit longer of a ramp-up leading into opening night for him. Obviously in Year 23, it’s uncharted territory here.”

The plan is simple: protect LeBron now so he’s ready when it matters most. Last year, he tried to push too hard early to prove his buy-in, but Redick admitted he “probably did too much” in camp. This time, both sides are being cautious.

James himself told ESPN, “I’m still ramping things back up. I’m not where I want to be. But I mean, I don’t want to be where I want to be right now in September.” The message is clear—they’re playing the long game with LeBron.

And that brings us to the Lakers’ new theme for the season: obsession. Every year, GM Rob Pelinka picks a word for camp, and this time it’s about chasing Banner 18. Redick explained, “Last year was details, this year is obsession… that’s what we’re all after. We’re all after that 18th banner.”

It’s a mantra that echoes Kobe Bryant’s famous BodyArmor campaign, where he declared, “Obsession is natural.” For these Lakers, it’s more than just a slogan—it’s the mindset they believe can carry them past Boston and back to the top.