The Lo Angeles Lakers have the best roster in the NBA. With multiple MVPs, first-ballot Hall-of-Famers, and All-Stars, they have a roster that (on paper) is on par with some of the greatest ever assembled.
Team GM Rob Pelinka knows this just as much as anyone. During a chat with his team he shared a few words with the guys, reminding them that while their talent is unprecedented, they will need to come together under the right mindset to make things work.
"This room has the greatest basketball talent ever assembled on a team in recent history... but without the mindset that amounts to jacksh*t."
The Lakers went 0-6 during the preseason, leading to doubt by the fans before they even played a single game. Unfortunately, L.A. hasn't looked much better so far. They stand at 0-2 after losses to Golden State and Phoenix.
"I'm OK with adversity, honestly," Westbrook said Saturday after the team gathered for a film session. "I never panic throughout the course of a season. Especially at the start of the season. There's really no need to. The season is too long and nobody is winning nothing right now.
"Yes, it's good to get off to a good start and feel good about yourself, but especially me personally, I like to make sure that I'm -- as the season goes on -- I'm constantly just getting better and better and better as the season prolongs. And making sure that my team and my teammates are getting better as well as we all get comfortable with each other."
After dropping 8 points in the season opener, Westbrook scored 15 in game 2, along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists.
As the biggest question mark for the team so far, all eyes are on Russ to prove that he can make this team better.
So far, the results have not been ideal, as the Purple and Gold remain winless since the start of the preseason but we will see soon enough what the new-look Lakers are really capable of.
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