Los Angeles Lakers: Winning Games Isn't Paramount

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Oct 19, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Yi Jianlian (right) gestures before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Valley View Casino Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Build a new chemistry and culture

The Lakers franchise has repeatedly had all-time great players at the forefront. Without a definitive leader and their next 20-year franchise player yet set in stone, building a team inspired by culture and chemistry is a must.

So often have previous Laker teams been able to lean on the likes of Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant when things get tough. There has often been one guy leading with 14 others behind him.

Going forward, 2016-17 in particular, the team as a whole must learn to carry the load together.

Win as a team. Lose as a team.

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The Golden State Warriors are often regarded as having one of the tightest bonds in the NBA. Admittedly, it’s an easy achievement when you’re winning 73 games, but not even they could avoid issues in the locker room.

How the Lakers respond to their own adversity in a season spent dwelling on losses more than celebrating wins will be an all important character building exercise.

When the going gets tough, jabs in the media and swipes at teammates will only erode a chemistry within the team that’s not yet fully formed.

The maturity of the youngsters is where it all begins.

When your best player is a 20-year old D’Angelo Russell, relying on maturation seems a tall order. After Russell’s issues in his rookie season, seeing a continued improvement from him in how he carries himself as an NBA player is the footing for the change in culture.

Oct 21, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) reaches for the ball between Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) and forward Julius Randle (30) during a preseason NBA game at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

The youngsters improve

Russell is the most important player in this Lakers squad. On the back of his improvements, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and Brandon Ingram all reap the benefit.

He might only be developing his game himself but already has ambitions to be the leader of this team as he told Mark Medina of LA Daily News:

"“I always felt I had the leadership qualities as far as being a leader or leading a team.”"

With ambitions like that, Russell has inadvertently put the development of his teammates on his shoulders. He’s the main point of the offense and anything he does to start a set directly affects how his teammates respond and play.

If he manages to put in a Most Improved Player-contending season, the rest of the team improve with him.

The young Lakers will only improve this season as much as Russell does.

Undoubtedly more important than win totals, becoming better basketball players would warrant this season a success.

This Lakers core is raw and at times it’s blindingly obvious.

While Ingram has the tools to be a monster defensively, he got himself lost and gave up easy opportunities for the opposition a number of times throughout the preseason.

It’s likely to come with experience, but if he can improve on the amount times he’s caught in no man’s land defensively this season, he’s putting himself on the right track to be an NBA star.

Randle is another with all the tools but limited experience. He can beat smaller guys with his size and bigger guys with his speed. What Walton will be looking for this season is how Randle reads situations he has the ball in his hands.

Eliminating the Hail Marys after committing himself to a shot that was never there will see him develop into the player so many expected him to become.

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Clarkson is the most difficult of the three to measure. For most, he’s already exceeded expectations. He has become a handy player and whether he starts or comes off the bench this season, he’s going to contribute as well as any third or fourth guy in the NBA.

Clarkson’s job is to score but improving his shot selection would go a long way to bumping up his questionable 43.8 field goal percentage.

As unpopular as it is to a lot of people, the eye test is going to be the primary method of measuring the upcoming Lakers season.

The difference between winning say 25 or 30 games is rendered meaningless if there aren’t developing signs of a team capable of being a future contender.

The boarding passes are printed and the 2016-17 journey is about to begin. While the destination may be unknown, there is an undeniable sense of excitement about what lies ahead.

Just don’t expect five-star quality service from this bunch of Lakers. Not yet anyway.

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Los Angeles Lakers: Winning Games Isn’t Paramount

By Jason Oliver | Oct 25, 2016

Build a new chemistry and culture

The youngsters improve

More from Hoops Habit