LOS ANGELES — Despite last year's disappointing 17-win season and a 2-6 preseason record this month, the Los Angeles Lakers are an optimistic bunch, enjoying their honeymoon under their rookie head coach, Luke Walton.
"He connects to us really well. He keeps practice fun and loose, so no one has a problem learning when he's teaching," said guard Jordan Clarkson. "We've all got respect for him because he knows what he's talking about."
The challenge for Walton will be keeping his team engaged, if (and when) the losses pile up. The Lakers will be a better team than they were a year ago, but even if they manage to double up in the win column to 34, that's still a hefty 48 losses.