The Los Angeles Lakers are far from being championship contenders again, but it is encouraging to sense that the vibe within the organization is becoming increasingly positive.
Let’s be honest for a moment and get one thing straight; the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to be hoisting up another banner next summer.
To be even more honest, it is likely that the team will not be boasting about a 17th one the subsequent year, either.
Because this organization’s culture is all about winning, staying upbeat nowadays seems ludicrous.
Everyone discerns that the last few seasons in the City of Angels have been far from angelic. Losing in general in Lakerland is unacceptable, making these last four seasons particularly disgusting to think about.
While that is understandable, the energy in Los Angeles is slowly creeping upward.
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The boost of energy came multiple months back in the form of former Lakers’ legend Magic Johnson. This is the guy who practically personified the world of basketball in the 1980s.
At the time, switching the Lakers’ fortunes seemed impossible. Fans wondered whether Magic could help the same franchise he excelled for back in the day as their star point guard.
Johnson has a lot of unfinished business to take care of at this precise point. However, he has done a far better job than many may have originally surmised.
Perhaps he truly does have that magic touch running through his veins still.
Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times took note of this as well in a recent piece he wrote. After getting in touch with Lakers’ GM Rob Pelinka, Pelinka shed light on the team’s current state.
"There’s just a renewed energy around here. We feel it in the offices every day. I think clearly with Earvin’s vision and just his persona, I really think the organization is taking on the positive joy that he seems to live with every day."
This is a breath of fresh air because words like joy have had no connection with the purple-and-gold for a while. That is all different now.
The Lakers have pushed all the right buttons this summer and may just be getting started.
When they traded for Brook Lopez and another first round pick, the organization not only gained cap space for next summer. One could argue that they simply matured a tad as well.
Having additional capital and no-nonsense attitudes are major steps when it comes to rebuilding this team.
The extra money will grant the Lakers with the chance to acquire two elite players in a dozen months. This denotes that Paul George is not the only All-Star under consideration.
Losing D’Angelo Russell was a tougher pill to swallow due to his potential. Trading him, though, opened up the doors for a certain someone whose name is fitting for the sport he plays.
This is the most important button L.A. has pressed this offseason granted this player has not played for them yet. Yes, Lonzo Ball will not solve all of the team’s problems. Certainly, he will be more than an asset to Los Angeles.
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Johnson asserted recently that he wanted L.A. to have a natural leader on board. Provided what he did at UCLA, Ball’s skillset is precisely what the Lakers have been hunting for.
The local product’s dream of becoming a Laker came true last week. It is now his time to shine and that message has been relayed over to him.
In a piece composed by Greg Beacham of The Associated Press, Magic did not mince words with the teenager.
"I’m going to put a little pressure on you right now. You look to your right, there’s some jerseys hanging on that wall. We expect a Ball jersey hanging up there one day, all right? Good."
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Such a statement may appear to be quite lofty in scope, especially because Ball is a rookie. Those expectations only trickle up, no doubt, because the Lakers are accustomed to hanging things other than jerseys.
Magic is largely responsible for why fans are so used to this culture. Interestingly enough, it is why he is so intrigued by the team’s number two pick.
Ball’s adept passing abilities caught Magic’s eye when scouting the local ballplayer. The Orange County Register’s Mark Medina dives into number 32’s thoughts on the Lakers’ newbie.
"Guys want to get out on that break and run hard. They know Lonzo will find him. Not just give him a pass, but a scoring pass. Some people can pass. Very few people can give you a scoring pass. That’s the type of passer he is."
Magic did a lot of this during the Showtime era. It is not to say that Lonzo will bring an era back to L.A., but the fact that Magic sees that Lonzo has a gift is rejuvenating.
Magic is not the only individual who thinks Ball has the chance to be a fine NBA player. Small forward Brandon Ingram is another fan of Ball’s game.
Recently, on The Mason & Ireland Show, Ingram disclosed that “I like his game. I like the way he attacks his game. It’s gonna be fun.”
Focusing so much attention on one player may not seem fair. It will take assistance from everyone to get Los Angeles back to the promised land.
In spite of that truth, Magic and Rob have already proven that they are not afraid to take action. It is safe to presume that they probably have a few more tricks up their sleeves.
The Lakers’ roster is definitely incomplete and some growing pains are still to be expected. That is unquestionable.
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Everything that has transpired in the last few months, though, insinuates that even greater sparks of energy will be flying down Figueroa in the time to come.
Things are still not entirely tidy in Hollywood—that’s a fact. Nonetheless, the clutter is gradually disintegrating, resulting in heightened confidence.