Hoops Habit
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: What Can We Expect In 2016-17?

By Joshua Lea

Sep 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton is interviewed by reporters at media day at Toyota Sports Center.. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton is interviewed by reporters at media day at Toyota Sports Center.. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

A new era begins for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. The new young Lakers will take on the rest of the NBA without a megastar to lead them in the West.

The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning a new season without Kobe Bryant. The purple and gold will have to select a new leader, a new megastar, and a new face of the franchise. Some believe D’Angelo Russell is that player, others believe rookie Brandon Ingram is poised to take on that role.

However, this is a futuristic process, as of now, there isn’t a megastar for the Lakers this season. The Lakers have a mixture of young players and aged veterans heading into this season.

The Lakers want to challenge the West. They want a chance to compete for a playoff position. They want to use the young players as a building block for a team that will become a new dynasty in the NBA.

However, the question is can this be done? Up until the Lakers hired Luke Walton as the head coach, the belief was no. This was a team that just couldn’t get the job done under Byron Scott, even with Bryant still putting up decent numbers.

Most blame the offensive scheme, the Lakers haven’t had a decent offensive scheme since Phil Jackson left the team. Whether it was the Princeton offense, the pick-and-roll, or an isolation pick-and-pop, it just didn’t work with this team.

Live Feed

Golden State Warriors' pacific rival makes huge free agent signing
Golden State Warriors' pacific rival makes huge free agent signing /

Blue Man Hoop

  • Lakers sign Christian Wood after long stare down for 14th roster spotLake Show Life
  • When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Lakers fans need to knowLake Show Life
  • Grade the trade: Lakers bring back Alex Caruso is new proposalLake Show Life
  • Lakers' Austin Reaves completes Alex Caruso arc with eerily similar highlight dunkLake Show Life
  • NBA rumors: Trae Young trade buzz, Andre Drummond is a comedian, Wemby and KAT team upFanSided

    • Now that Walton has taken over, this team will space the floor, move the ball, and get players in their spots. They’ll run set plays similar to that of the Golden State Warriors, although the Lakers aren’t built to win 73 games this season.

    So, what can we expect from the Lakers this year? Theoretically, I would expect for the Lakers to win more than 35 games but less than 50. This will depend on health and overall team chemistry. Team chemistry will depend on what the Lakers do with Nick Young. If they cannot deal Young, it’s also being reported that a buyout deal will be reached before the season starts.

    This season begins with Russell; it is up to him to become the clear-cut leader of this team. There will be trials early in this year. These young players will have to adjust to Walton’s new style. They’ll have to adjust to not having Kobe to take the last shot of the game.

    The Lakers will likely not make the playoffs this season. The Western Conference is arguably the toughest that it has ever been. Even the league’s worst teams are formidable in their own right.

    The Lakers’ offensive presence will likely be feeding the ball in the paint to Julius Randle and Ingram. They’ll also have Jordan Clarkson and Luol Deng on the wing for the three or midrange jumper. A balanced offensive attack is going to be vital for the success of this team. They simply cannot rely on Lou Williams and Young jacking up shots and expect to win.

    In the past, the Lakers have made serious mistakes in signing players and coaching personnel. So much so, that fans have questions Jim Buss’s ability to run this organization. Most feel that Jeanie Buss would be better suited to take the helm of the Lakers. I myself, couldn’t agree more.

    Next: Top 10 Candidates For NBA's 2016-17 MVP Award

    Regardless of what is to come with the front office, the Lakers will still be an interesting team to watch this season. The youth and inexperience of this team is going to show itself early and often. However, by late December, this team could jell and start winning some key games.

    Home/Los Angeles Lakers