Nov 16, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott talks with forward Julius Randle (30) during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Lakers 120-101. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Focus on Player Development
Last year seemed to be coined around the phrase “Team Tank”, a popular term deemed by sports aficionados as a team that should lose in order to obtain a high draft pick. Well, “Team Tank” for the Lakers ended up working, as the Lakers landed the second overall pick in last year’s draft.
This year, the Lakers have another chance to land a top draft pick, due to their poor record that is likely to persist. But, this year’s pick is top 3 protected (last year’s was top 5), which means that the Lakers are less likely to retain the pick. As a result, “Team Tank” needs to be altered to “Team Player Development.”
The Lakers season needs to be all about Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and to a smaller degree, Larry Nance Jr. and Anthony Brown. When watching a Lakers game, Laker fans should be asking themselves, “Are the young guys improving?”
Over time, look for Clarkson to provide consistency in his shooting and decision-making. Hope that Russell slowly commits fewer turnovers as more games go along and starts feeling more comfortable as the general on the court. When Russell finally adjusts to the NBA game, fans wil start seeing the player worth the number two overall selection.
Julius Randle has had flashes of success so far this season, but also needs to develop his game. If Randle improves his defense, improves his free throw shooting, and develops a jump shot, he can be a special player. Right now, Randle is playing a lot of “bully ball”, a tactic that worked in his lone season in Kentucky, but won’t succeed as much in the NBA.
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Also, keep track of the Lakers other draft picks: Nance Jr. and Brown. So far, Nance Jr. has established himself into the lineup as the “energy guy” the Lakers hoped he would be, and has developed a nice mid-range jump shot.
Brown has recently been demoted to the D-League, but this is seen as a move for him to get more playing time, and hopefully be brought back into the Lakers rotation and become the “3-and-D” guy the Lakers were expecting on draft night.
This is asking a lot and all of these improvements won’t come over night, but hopefully by the end of the season these players have improved enough to be trusted to lead this franchise for the future. After all, GM Mitch Kupchack said that Clarkson and Russell would lead the Lakers backcourt for the next 10 years. That has to mean something, right?
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