It was the latest — and typical — emotional outburst from Wagner, the first-round draft pick chosen 25th overall in June.
“I’m not gonna change just because it’s the NBA,” Wagner had said. “I’m the same player. I’m a confident guy. I’m just gonna be myself, and I’ll be smiling the whole time.”
He admits, though, that he can’t rely on what he did at Michigan, or before that with the German national team or club team, ALBA Berlin. To make it with the Lakers and in the NBA, he’ll need to evolve. And it’s not going to happen quickly.