With the playoffs in full swing and the draft lottery not for a few more weeks, all is quiet out of El Segundo for these Lakers. The players have surely started their off-season routines, building on the season that was and using their exit interviews to inform their path ahead. For fans, out focus naturally drifts to them — the people on the court playing the games. Can they improve their craft and come back ready to make an impact on the floor next year?
This is the natural approach and the answers for each individual player are pertinent. But we’d be lying if we said that was the only area which needed improvement or where change could be used to elevate the team. When examining the Lakers’ front office and coaching staff, we should also be looking for them to take positive steps forward and come back improved for next season.
In at least one spot, this is by necessity. In early April, it was announced that assistant/player development coach Theo Robertson was leaving the organization to join the coaching staff at his alma mater UC Berkeley. Robertson once starred at Forward for Cal’s Golden Bears and is from the Bay Area, so this move home is a great opportunity for him. I am interested in seeing what direction Luke and the Lakers go in replacing Robertson, however.
As noted, Robertson served as an assistant/player development coach and the Lakers certainly do need to ensure they are well staffed in that area. With so many young players on the roster, coaches of that ilk who can put in the time for individual skill development are a necessity. So, it would be easy to see Luke and the FO determine that is the best way to proceed and simply find a new Robertson-type to fill the void he vacated.
That said, I would also like to see the team bring on another experienced coach who can not only help with player development, but schemes and strategy — especially on defense. The Lakers’ current staff does has a nice mix of guys who have been around the block (Brian Shaw, Brian Keefe, Jesse Mermuys to a somewhat lesser extent) and coaches who are newer (Mark Madsen, Jud Buechler). But what the staff currently lacks is that one grey-beard, that basketball lifer who can serve as a guidepost while taking a secondary leadership role behind Walton along with Shaw and the other assistants.
Beyond the coaching staff, though, there tweaks to be made in the front office too. During his exit interview, Rob Pelinka noted he was still in the process of examining the front office and making determinations on what additions to make. He brought up the idea of a “wellness coordinator” who would work with the players on things like nutrition, sleep habits, and more, but intimated there would be even more additions.
Remember, too, that Assistant GM Glenn Carraro resigned before the end of the season, so there is at least one empty chair in the room which could, theoretically, be filled still. As I wrote when Carraro stepped down, I would like to see the Lakers not only give those who have earned a larger voice (Jesse Buss, Ryan West) more input, but to also bring in voices from outside the organization to help bolster their ranks. The Lakers have long operated like the family business they are, looking within to fill roles whenever possible (hiring Magic Johnson and Kobe’s former agent only add to this perception).
That said, this type of approach can often be insular, leaving outside options off the table and eliminating what could be potentially valuable perspectives from becoming a part of the process. Further, and I hate to sound like a broken record, I remain committed to the idea that the Lakers should be leveraging their resources (financial and otherwise) into areas which are not governed by the salary cap nor the collective bargaining agreement. The team has moved down this road in the construction of their new practice facility and organizational office space, but can do similar things by investing even more in analytics, specialist coaching (shooting, etc), and other front office talent.
This stuff may not be as sexy has Randle developing his right hand or becoming a viable three point shooter, Ingram getting stronger and getting more consistent footwork, or Russell becoming a more consistent player. Those things will be easy to see on the court and will have a tangible impact on winning games. But changes to the staff and tweaks to the front office are just as important to the strides the players can hopefully make. Which makes this summer an important one for everyone in the organization.
Craig W. says
I would like to see someone who reports directly to Magic. Their responsibilities would be to educate the players economically. I realize each player has an agent that often functions in this area, but players as great as Kareem have been taken advantage of by their agents. This has nothing to do with on-court play and everything to do with making each Laker player more educated in addressing a broader area of their future. This shouldn’t be an area we talk a lot about, but it should be known that the Lakers make this part of their player’s lives a priority that they can and will help with. If the average player lasts 4-5 years, at least those years will prepare them for something outside of basketball – a sport that most NBA players have had to completely focus on to get where they are.
R says
Another area of tremendous concern to me are the swarms of hot young women eager to take advantage of these young innocent guys. In fact, I’m so concerned about this situation that I’d be more than happy to rigorously screen any young ladies before they are allowed to approach our new players. I think it’s the least I can do as a passionate long time Lakers fan! ;0)
BigCitySid says
Expectations in Coach Walton’s 2nd year will be higher then this season. Regardless of what happens in the draft or free agency, nothing less than 34+ wins will be acceptable.
Craig W. says
Agreed!
Mid-Wilshire says
I think the idea of hiring a shooting coach is an excellent suggestion. Below are some shooting percentages from the team as a whole and from key members of the young core:
Lakers’ FG % (2016-2017): 45% (19th in the league)
Lakers’ 3-point %: 34.6% (22nd in the league)
Jordan Clarkson: 44.5% FG overall; 32.9% 3-point shooting
D’Angelo Russell: 40.5% FG overall; 35.2 % 3-point shooting
Brandon Ingram: 40.2% FG overall; 29.4% 3-point shooting
Julius Randle: 27.0% from 3-point range
Larry Nance, Jr.: 27.8% from 3-point range
Obviously, the Lakers need some help in this area.
Also, I would like to see the Lakers hire a coach who would focus exclusively on defense. The Lakers’ (abysmal) stats on defense from this last season are as follows:
Defensive Rating: 110.6 points per game (30th in the league)
(By contrast, a middle-of-the-pack team such as the Miami Heat — 15th in the NBA — had a Defensive Rating of 104.1 ppg; Golden State, the #1 Team, had a Defensive Rating of 101.1 ppg.)
Opps pts off TOs: 18.0 ppg
Opp 2nd Chance points: 13.3 ppg
Opp Fast Break points: 16.2 ppg
Opps Pts in Paint: 47.4 ppg
If the Lakers can improve in these two areas (and I haven’t even mentioned their Assist-to-Turnover Ratio, another important stat), then they could conceivably lift themselves to the next level.
Specialist coaches in these two areas could help, I think.
mattal says
If the Lakers get shut out of the draft and free agency I’d like to see them pursue Kelly Oubre. I think he would be a fantastic SG along side Russell. He’s nearly as long as Ingram and the two of them would be devastating defensively on the wings.
FredP says
Pelinka could have a profound impact on the team if he changes the culture in regards to conditioning. By that I mean that the season is too long and all players are overworked by the time the playoffs come around. The Spurs recognize this and other teams are coming around too. The Lakers could move ahead of the pack by actually resting all of their players at regular intervals during the season and maybe extending the careers of the young players as well as the older ones.
P.S. I will miss not having a podcast this week.
drrayeye says
Hi Darius,
I’m certain that profound organizational changes will unfold over the next five months (at least), but I doubt that the key top managers have even thought through the possibilities, let alone implemented anything yet. I’m assuming that the athletic and business wings of the Lakers organization will be more closely integrated, but I’m not sure how that will translate into increased budgets for some of the things you’ve mentioned.
Hopefully, you’ll continue keeping us informed as changes unfold.
Mitch says
Yes, shooting coach please! It was painful watching JC start to drift forward on his 3 pt attempts for 2 months before someone finally corrected it. It was painful watching Randle and DAR chuck up free throws seemingly the moment they received the ball from the ref. it was painful watching free throw after free throw of Ingram’s clank off the back of the rim without ever seeing an attempted adjustment the entire season.
I believe the exact same coaching conditions can be put towards the lack of defensive improvement throughout the season as well.
It seems that through sheer change in terms of demanding organizational excellence from top to bottom as well as on court that we will see the type of energy, focus and competitiveness we saw the last 2 weeks of the season.
LT Mitchell says
A defensive coach might help some but I don’t think he will have much impact with a roster that is so depleted in defensive talent. The quickest way to improve the defense is through the offense (an area where this team has talent). Making a higher percentage of your shots and decreasing turnovers will instantly improve the defensive numbers by limited run outs/fast breaks. Playing in an offensive system that encourages 3 point shooting (which leads to long rebounds) makes it even more crucial to raise that FG%.
The most impactful way to improve the defense is not through a defensive coach, or a more efficient offense…..but through Rob Pelinka.
Bords says
1 name at d top of their list as shooting coach shud be Chip Engelland of San Antonio..with all the revenue & the resources the team have, they need to offer this guy the sun and the moon to switch teams..BI and Dlo need this guy asap.