The Los Angeles Lakers have a long road ahead as far as getting back on the winning track is concerned. With a new crew led by two good picks from the past two years, Lakers part-owner Jim Buss is eager to see what the team will offer this coming NBA season.
"I can't wait for the season, one of the reasons I can't wait, first of all, I love basketball, second is to watch this kid develop," Buss was quoted saying by The Times.
First up is, of course, that curious pick on D'Angelo Russell. Believed to be one of the best guards from the recent NBA draft, Russell's selection came as a bit of a surprise, considering the focus then was on Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor.
Apparently, the Lakers believed that there's no use drafting a player who plays center/forward since they do have Julius Randle from last year.
Randle, of course, hardly made an impact; no thanks to an untimely foot injury right in his very first game that eventually led to him being sidelined for the whole 2014–15 NBA season.
But now, Randle is expected to rebound and come back with a vengeance. Russell, Buss, and a lot of other Laker hopefuls will certainly keep tabs on possibly the future of the Laker franchise.
Both were unable to render eye-catching performances at the Summer League, but the real deal is really when the regular season gets underway. Russell may take time to accustom himself; but with Jordan Clarkson still around, Russell should get into the groove in no time.
Clarkson is a testament to the development the Lakers are putting in on the young guns. Especially with the Kobe Bryan era nearing a close, the Lakers rebuilding and investing for the future is something Buss is keenly monitoring.
So will it be a season to look forward to for the Lakers and its fans? Well, Buss seems to be looking forward to it.
