NBA 2016-17 forecast: Pacific Division
By Brian Boake
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Last season: 17 – 65
This season: 25 – 57
Grit your teeth, play the kids, and call for patience. There’s little else management of the purple and gold can do this season. Their team is young, and there’s no pill which can be given to provide Instant Experience.
While they have added or retained a slew of veterans (Timofey Mozgov, Lou Williams, Jose Calderon, Metta World Peace, Yi Jianlian), new coach Luke Walton has the luxury of an extended honeymoon. He’s got to give his super-high-ceiling draftees like Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle major minutes.
Accept it, Lakers fans. There’s no quick fix. Measure this season by progress, not with fantasies of a playoff spot.
Next: Team Turmoil, Verson 5 or more