not giving crap who’s out there. He wants to play Laker basketball.”
Challenges and Future Prospects
While the Lakers have shown early promise, head coach Redick has also expressed some frustration, particularly with the team’s second-quarter performance against the Grizzlies. He called his players “zombies” after they allowed 19 unanswered points in one quarter.
“Things aren’t perfect yet,” Redick acknowledged. “But in a long season, with pieces that are still finding their way together, any early glimpse at some of those intangible, championship team qualities is meaningful.”
New Ownership and Vision
The Lakers have seen significant changes off the court as well. The team officially has a new majority owner: Mark Walter. Walter’s acquisition was unanimously approved by the NBA board of governors on November 1, 2025. He attended his first game with the team in a royal blue Dodgers jacket, already dreaming about bringing another championship to Los Angeles.
While Redick noted that baseball is an individual sport masquerading as a team effort, Walter’s enthusiasm for learning about a new league is evident. “Baseball is an individual sport masquerading as a team sport,” he said. “The NBA now is the equivalent of the Giants when Barry Bonds was in his prime, basically getting to bat every single time and not only that, getting to pick who pitches to him every single time.”
Conclusion
The early success of the Lakers can be attributed to their commitment to playing hard. Despite challenges posed by injuries and roster changes, they have managed a strong start. As new owner Mark Walter looks on from the sidelines, the team’s ability to execute Laker basketball will be crucial in achieving their goals for the upcoming season.
