Posing for the cameras and taking questions from dozens of reporters, the new-look Lakers grinned from station to station at the team’s annual Media Day on Monday.
According to the players themselves, those smiles are frequent at the practice facility these days.
With Luke Walton taking over as head coach during the offseason, he has preached a culture of joy that has resonated with his players.
“I feel like everybody’s buying in and wants to take steps forward in winning and coming together as a team,” D’Angelo Russell said.
After a rocky rookie season, Russell has been one of Walton’s most vocal supporters over the summer. The 2015 second-overall pick starred at Summer League, averaging 21.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Perhaps more importantly, his demeanor was just as impressive as his numbers, as he took ownership as the leader of the summer Lakers.
That particular type of confidence wasn’t in his repertoire this time last season, when he entered his first training camp at 19 years old.
“I’m really looking forward to going into training camp with that one year under my belt as experience,” Russell said. “Just going into training camp, I know what to expect and I’m kind of prepared.”
Russell characterizes his approach to this season as “business-like” and Walton, for one, has seen that.
The head coach acknowledges that Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle have led the team through their commitment to working hard, but Russell has been the most vocal of the crew thus far.
“I think D’Angelo is young, but at the point guard position he’s starting to realize the importance of having a voice and being a leader in that spot, which I think he has the skills to do,” Walton said.
Those skills could prove to be invaluable for Russell’s teammates.
The team — which will begin training camp on Tuesday in Santa Barbara — is looking for its leader of the future, and Russell could certainly fit the mold if he continues to impress Walton the way he has.
As for the short term, Walton is curious to find out who will emerge as this year’s leader, as he oversees a roster that features seasoned vets like Luol Deng and Jose Calderon, as well as budding talents like Russell and Clarkson.
“It’ll be interesting to find out, and I’m sure we will in training camp,” Walton said. “And I’m sure we will two months from now, and even more so further down the road again. Adversity brings that stuff out. Who’s the leader? Who’s stepping up when things are tough?”
Russell has already reached out to a teammate who is in a very familiar experience.
Brandon Ingram, who was taken with the No. 2 pick this year, says that Russell has told him to “just be myself” and remain calm among the inevitable outside pressure that follows such high expectations.
Ingram — who has the Rookie of the Year award in his sights — will start by taking on opposing second units, as Walton plans to have him come off the bench to begin his career.
The 19-year-old has decided to embrace this challenge.
“I think if (a starting spot) was given it wouldn’t drive me as much to be the best player I could be,” Ingram said. “Just coming off the bench and showing that I can be one of the best players on the floor, it gives me motivation to work hard each and every day.”
Walton has carefully crafted his team’s environment thus far, blending a good-times atmosphere with tests for his team.
The 36-year-old also showed that he’s willing to step up by playing with and against the players, which has drawn mixed reviews.
Tarik Black told Bleacher Report that “He’s still killing us with straight passes,” but Clarkson doesn’t want anyone to think he’s getting scored on by the guy holding the clipboard.
“He’s not getting no buckets,” Clarkson said. “So don’t let him fool you.”