Key takeaways from Lakers Media Day
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
After a disappointing 2021-22 season for the Los Angeles Lakers, it was refreshing to see new players repping that purple and gold jersey as they walked into the UCLA Health Training Facility for the Lakers’ media day. Led by new head coach Darvin Ham, the media was eager to hear how he and the players would improve and compete for their 18th championship.
The Westbrook drama
It was no secret that the former MVP, Russell Westbrook, is now on the hot seat as last season was a down year for him and the Lakers. Trade rumors have been circling the Lakers and Westbrook for the entirety of the off-season. Through it all, Westbrook stated, “My job is to be a professional and show to work as I’ve always done.”
He also mentioned that LeBron, AD, and himself have had “very beneficial” talks over the off-season to hash out what worked and what didn’t during last season. Westbrook seems committed to the Lakers organization and is ready for whatever role comes his way.
Rob Pelinka and Darvin Ham take the stage
Ham and general manager Rob Pelinka were together to answer questions from the press. Pelinka has been busy this offseason with the addition of nine new players to the roster. After last season’s struggles, it was clear that the roster needed to be revamped. As a result, Pelinka shied away from filling their roster with older players and decided to pick up young players such as Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, Thomas Bryant, and others.
However, Pelinka may not be done looking for upgrades to the squad. Rumors have been floating around that the Lakers are shopping Westbrook and possibly two first-round picks. When asked about the situation, Pelinka stated, “We will do everything we can, picks included, to make deals that give us a chance to help LeBron get to the end. He committed to our organization. That’s gotta be a bilateral commitment.” He then went on to say, “You have one shot to make a trade with multiple picks, so if you make that trade, it has to be the right one.”
It’s clear that the Lakers are in a ‘win now’ situation, but Pelinka doesn’t want to throw first-round picks at just any trade. It has to be a trade that makes them significantly better.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Ham expects the Lakers to be a completely different ball club compared to last season’s Lakers. Last year, the Lakers ranked 21st in defensive rating throughout the league. Ham is a defensive-minded coach and wants his players to lock in on the defensive end this year. As heard from Ham, “We should be one of the elite defensive teams in the league…We have the personnel for it.”
With the additions of Patrick Beverley, Dennis Schröder, Jones, Bryant, and Tuscano-Anderson, Ham believes they will play well alongside defensive anchor Anthony Davis. Both Davis and James emphasized during the media day that the Lakers need to be a top defensive team if they want to keep up with the best. So it’s clear that defense will be the main focus of this upcoming season.
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Patrick Beverley: A perfect fit
With the recent trade that had the Lakers acquiring Beverly, people speculated that it would bring drama between certain players, especially Westbrook. However, it seems as though the complete opposite is happening.
Pat Bev called Westbrook his “best friend” since arriving on the team, and they have been working out every morning together in the Lakers’ facility. They have shown mutual respect towards each other, starting when Westbrook showed up to Beverly’s introduction to the Lakers a couple of weeks ago.
Photo by Marca
Beverley has been meshing well with his teammates and coaches and is definitely becoming a fan favorite for Laker nation. The 12-year veteran just wants to win, which the Lakers are all about. It’s championship or bust. “I guard everybody, so nothing changes for me… I’m a blue-collar guy, the coach tells me what to do, and I’ll do it.” Beverley sounds ready for any challenge that is given to him this season.
Lakers action tips off on October 3 in a preseason game against the Kings in Los Angeles. Their first regular season game will be in the Chase Center to face the Warriors on ring ceremony night. Hopefully, that motivates the squad to chase a ring of their own for the upcoming season.
