On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers introduced Luke Walton as the team’s new head coach at the practice facility in El Segundo. It was a packed house to watch Walton’s introductory press conference with plenty of media and members of the Lakers organization on hand to welcome the former player turned head coach back to Los Angeles.
Also in attendance for Walton’s presser on Tuesday was a few of the young players he has inherited from last year’s Lakers squad. The rookie trio of D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr., and Anthony Brown watched as their new head coach emphasized playing a new brand of exciting basketball in Los Angeles.
After Walton’s press conference, Russell spoke with a few media members as well as James Worthy and Chris McGee of TWCSportsNet. Russell says Walton’s arrival has gotten him so excited that he can’t wait to play for him, via Lakers reporter Mike Trudell:
Russell on listening to Walton talk about the game and building culture: “I got excited. I want to play right now.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 21, 2016
Russell is one of the many young players on the current Lakers roster that stands to benefit greatly from the style of offense Walton plans to play next season. Walton has made it clear that the Lakers will play a more uptempo style like the Golden State Warriors with Russell expected to play a significant role moving forward.
The Lakers roster will need some polish to be able to play the style Walton plans to implement, but it’s no secret Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and the rest of the young players on the team are excited for a potentially bright future ahead in Los Angeles.
