Los Angeles Lakers: 2016-17 Season Outlook

Three Key Storylines: 3. Can Walton Handle The Job?

Deng and Mozgov will be expected to set an example for the younger players, but the Lakers’ much-needed culture change will begin and end with new head coach Luke Walton.

As a highly respected assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors over the last two years, there’s no question Walton understands what it means to be a part of a championship-caliber culture. The question is whether or not he can bottle up that same mentality and replicate it in Los Angeles.

With Steve Kerr battling his own health problems last season, Walton filled in admirably as the interim head coach for the Dubs, helping the Warriors start their season on a historic 39-4 tear. However, he also had the luxury of filling in for an immensely talented team that already had a sturdy structure, game plan and affirming basketball culture in place.

In Los Angeles, Walton will be tasked with building a similar environment for the franchise he once played for. The personnel is different, their strengths are different, and there’s no Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson or Draymond Green to be found on this roster.

But Lakers fans should be confident in their new head coach. Like the team’s overall development, the progress won’t come overnight. There will be a learning curve for Walton, especially with considerably less talent and experience to work with.

But after spending such a crucial part of his coaching career with the Warriors, Walton understands what it takes to win in his league — tactically, chemistry-wise, from a maturity perspective, you name it. At the very least, he’ll be better than Byron Scott, and that in and of itself is a victory.

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