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“The priority is making sure we are getting things in correctly,” Walton said. “If that ends up costing a couple of wins here or there, then that’s something I think we have to live with as a group. In the bigger picture, it’s more important that we have those basics down and those fundamentals down.”

Could fulfilling that ideal become harder once the losses pile up and the challenge to ensure players buy into their role increases?

“It’s very hard,” Walton said. “You have a big picture plan and you have a staff and I have a staff that I trust and we talk about with things like that who know the approach we’re going to take. I’ll have them remind me of that when times are tough.”

Link

Subtle tank hint?

Oh I hope it's not a tank hint - I'll go follow the 76ers if I want that.

Not a tank hint just the only logical statement to make before facing your old Championship Contender team twice in a row with this roster... You ain't going for wins, for at least the next 2 games.

I interpret that as "i'm not going to just abandon the youth lineup in crucial situations to get a W when in the long term that young core is the one who needs to execute" as apposed to Byrons "screw kids i need that W to get to 17 wins this year"

< thinking slava should now be warned hahaha.

Yeah...I think he meant pretty much exactly what he said. This team doesn't have enough wins in it to make it matter, so prioritize the long-term goals.

I've said this plenty, so no need to make this long....but since I don't think this team has ever actually started the season thinking tank before, I certainly dont think they are thinking it now. Sure....50-some games in there are certainly realities, and if we're hovering down near 20-40 towards the home stretch, you might see some things done to try and retain that lottery pick.

But I actually do think that management looks at this team and thinks that with a little growth here, a little growth there...an injury to team B....and we might be able to scrape up that 8th spot (I think they are delusional, btw...but I do think they think that).

Luke on the other hand seems to understand that this is a "one step forward" approach time. Thinking about standings 6-months from now, potential draft picks....all that jazz is just a waste of time. We got too much raw talent sitting right in front of us to worry about all that side-show stuff.

Worry about molding these guys, and this squad. The rest will take care of itself a couple years down the road. I think that's exactly what he's saying.

If anything...I'd say its a warning to fans not to expect too many wins this year. We're building a car, not racing it. We'll take it out on the track in a couple years.

Stealth Tank

i agree with that approach. with growth the wins will come.

The comment is innocent enough but within the context of Jim Buss' deadline it's a very encouraging sign that the supposed deadline isnt clouding their judgement.

I think Jim will relish the chance to go down with the ship. That way he can honorably duck out of his personal obligation to his father, while somewhat proving himself as not a bad guy to fans.

Coach John Wooden never talked to his team's about winning, just playing the right way and giving all the effort you can.

That's where Luke gets it from. Also a very smart way to lower expectations.

Keeping that top 3 pick IS prioritizing growth

Lakers have to give the young guys mins.
Russell and Randle have the opperunity to make big jumps this year. Clarkson is going to play.
Ingram and zubac are going to take a year or two to have their bodies fill in.

Randle needs 30 mins a night.
I want to see him push it up the floor every time he gets the rebound. Having a pf being able to grab a rebound and push will open the floor up.

Lakers will push and spread the floor

All the pieces are there--just need time. Unless they speed up the process by trades, all you do is just let them go out and play. Every position is covered with what I would consider very strong assets... PG: Russell SG: Clarkson SF: Ingram PF:Randle/Nance C: Zubac. Everything seems lined up with the foundation you look for in building an organization now. We'll watch growth unfold before our eyes, like Clarkson already, and the wins will come down the road--probably before we expect it with this group. I'm just enjoying every game, even pre-season lol.

It's a way to suppress the fans expectations, hell we know a lot of wins aren't coming this season....at least the smart fans anyway

TyCobb wrote:All the pieces are there--just need time. Unless they speed up the process by trades, all you do is just let them go out and play. Every position is covered with what I would consider very strong assets... PG: Russell SG: Clarkson SF: Ingram PF:Randle/Nance C: Zubac. Everything seems lined up with the foundation you look for in building an organization now. We'll watch growth unfold before our eyes, like Clarkson already, and the wins will come down the road--probably before we expect it with this group. I'm just enjoying every game, even pre-season lol.

I agree... And I don't think it's a stretch to interpret this quote as 'we're not trading anyone right now.'

This is not a team that's set up to have one player, night in and night out, that's going to be the star... This is a team that's either going to find a way to share and win, or they're going to be selfish and lose badly/get broken up... But like you said, that takes time to develop, and an excellent Coach/Staff to foster it.

It could be special if we're patient and let it happen.

20 wins, top 3 pick, development + extra mins to Young players >>>>>>>>>> 24 wins, no pick, extra mins to Lou, Swaggy etc.

So does this mean we play guys like Zubac and sit guys like Black? Zubac has more upside than most of our young guys. Black is a hustle guy that would be more valuable to a better team IMHO. Free Zubac!

i think this is a good explanation of what Luke probably means:

I'm not sure that is anything most of us didn't see coming. Young guys looking confused is normal. Developing a team means not stashing the one who need competition at this level on a D-League team. The D-league is not like minor leagues in baseball. It's not really a development league.