Nov 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reacts in the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers are in shambles, but here are three things they can learn from the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors have jumped out to a 15-0 start, tied for the best start in NBA history, and look to break said record Tuesday night against the Lakers. The two teams are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum, in what can only be described as a Twilight Zone-esque twist: the once afterthought Warriors are now putting teams on notice that this is their league, and you just play in it.
The question now remains, what happened to “the cuddly little Warriors of old?”
It wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies for the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Just like any team not named the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, or San Antonio Spurs, the Warriors had to reach the bottom before ascending to the top.
Just six seasons ago the Warriors finished a dreadful 26-56. Four seasons ago they were 23-43. Even in the season prior to winning it all, the Warriors were bounced in the first round of the Playoffs. So what has accounted for the their rapid rise to success?
Though this question could be answered simply in three words — “Healthy Stephen Curry” — other factors would be the coaching change, which in turn changed the attitude of the entire franchise. That said, there are a variety of other reasons that the Lakers would be wise to recognize.
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