LOS ANGELES — The longest offseason of LeBron James’ career is under way. He didn’t even make it to April. It will be late September before he practices again with the Lakers, and he won’t play another game until October.



Making his first comments since the Lakers shut him down for the remainder of this season, LeBron told The Athletic he is not going to pretend this is just another summer.



“I like being uncomfortable in the offseason,” he said. “I like being counted out. It motivates me.”



There will be a full NBA playoffs for him to sit and watch — something he hasn’t done since 2005 — and he won’t be a part of the Finals for the first time since 2010.



There are serious doubts around the league over whether the Lakers can successfully make the splash in free agency to add a second star to pair with James, or make a trade to accomplish that goal.



And then there’s...