Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka wants to see his guys locked in and determined on the court when they clash off against their city rivals Los Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers are set to host the Clippers at the Staples Center on Oct. 19, two days after the 2017/2018 NBA season officially kicks off.
The Clippers won the season-series last year, earning three wins and falling short just once to the Lakers. The Purple and Gold won the opening match between the two sides on Christmas, but couldn't end on the winning side in the rest of their meetings last year.
The Clippers have had more success than the Lakers in recent years, making the playoffs for six straight years while the LakeShow has hit a drought of four consecutive years without a postseason appearance. The Clippers ended winners in most of their meetings against the Lakers in the last couple of years.
New management, new culture
Pelinka, who arrived in the Lakers front office with the-now President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson earlier this year, is eager to see that change.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss fired long-time General Manager Mitch Kupchak and brother Jim Buss, a former Lakers President of Basketball Operations, as she is keen on getting the 16-time NBA champions back to its winning days.
Pelinka and Johnson have already started making a positive impact and implementing a new culture at the franchise.
''We want our guys to circle that game and say 'hey let's make a statement about what this city is about and how we want to play and compete every night."'
Coach Walton happy to see the effort
Lakers coach Luke Walton has been pleased to see Julius Randle expanding his range beyond the three point arc.
The Kentucky product, who already had a solid mid range jumper, is eager to add a three point shot to his game as stretch bigs who can shoot the ball well are very sought after in today's NBA.
The Purple and Gold are hoping to play fast-paced run and gun basketball -- the system requires players who can run and shoot the ball.
"He’s shooting them, which is what you do in the offseason; you keep working on your game. They look good too, he’s making a good percentage of them," Walton said of Randle, per Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation.
'On the right path'
Former Lakers player Walton knows it will take time for Randle to establish his three point shooting.
Randle shot 48.7 from the field last season and was knocking down 27.0 percent of the shots beyond the arc. The forward has been a 27.3 percent three point shooter so far during his career, according to ESPN.
"In this progress of being a young player and getting it going, normally, you start working on something and you make them in practice and struggle a little bit in the game, and then eventually, they start going in in the game. So he’s on the right path," Walton explained.
