What did we learn about the Lakers in the preseason?

1. LeBron will be LeBron — for better or worse

While some things may change about LeBron James, a lot of things will remain the same.

LeBron is going to get his numbers on the court. He’s going to draw more eyeballs, more praise and more criticism than anyone else in basketball. He’s going to break some records and reach some milestones that bolster his argument for being the greatest of his era and right up there with the greatest of all-time.

And he’s going to be involved in some kind of off-court controversy and drama.

After missing a significant chunk of last season with a groin injury, LeBron looks like he’s back to full strength. Going into his 17th pro season, in which he’ll turn 35 years old, he can still dominate defenses as a scorer and pick them apart as a passer. His preseason highlight reel includes the standard LeBron montage of no-look dimes and powerful drives.

However, LeBron’s preseason play has been overshadowed by the headlines and social media debates he created with his commentary on the NBA’s back-and-forth spat with China.

LeBron has made a lot of money and has a lot of fans in China. The Los Angeles Lakers played two preseason games against the Nets in China.

As the face of the NBA, LeBron was naturally pressed to give an opinion on the political issues between China and Hong Kong, issues that Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey recently helped put on the mainstream sports audience’s radar with a short tweet that caused some big problems for the NBA.

LeBron’s apolitical attempt at diplomacy has drawn a ton of criticism — almost as much as he was criticized last season for his defense and free-throw shooting.

The controversy will probably pass in due time, but it’s just another reminder that it wouldn’t be a LeBron James season without polarizing arguments and emotional reactions regarding every aspect of his life on and off the court.