Luke Walton opened his third training camp as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, but for the first time with a roster that included a superstar and with it lofty expectations. Development of the young core has not been abandoned, but rather accelerated.
Although the Lakers have welcomed veterans LeBron James and Rajon Rondo, among several other new players, the first day of training camp nonetheless was predicated on the fundamentals. “It was about defense. It was a physical practice but we challenged them mentally, too,” Walton said.
“As far as being locked in and really kind of helping set the tone for the foundation of the team we want to be.