Lakers: 5 Things That Must Happen in 2016-17 Season

Less Drama Off the Court

Boy, oh boy, where do I start with this one? As most fans, and most people in general remember, D’Angelo Russell got into some very hot water this past season when he “accidentally” posted a video of teammate Nick Young.

Both Russell and Young received plenty of criticism in the aftermath of this incident. Besides the consequences of Young’s relationship with Azalea ending, the Lakers chemistry was clearly damaged as well.

Russell was seen as a “snake” or untrustworthy and was reportedly isolated by his teammates. On a team that was in the middle of one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the added tension didn’t benefit anyone.

While Russell immediately regretted his actions and apologized to all involved, he was able to handle the intense scrutiny better than most rookies likely would have. He simply accepted the blame for his mistakes and vowed to let his future actions prove this was not reflection of his true character.

If the Lakers really want to take a positive step this year, they will have to eliminate distractions like these and build a cohesive unit with good chemistry. Or maybe, a Lebron James-esque social media blackout is in order to prevent any slip-ups by this season.