By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
A day before the Los Angeles Lakers win over the Brooklyn Nets, just L.A.’s third victory in 13 games so far this season, the team held a seminal film session on Saturday.
It wasn’t so much what was seen, but what was said that made an impact, according to the Lakers‘ leaders.
“We had conversations that a team that was 2-10 should have, you know?” Anthony Davis said Wednesday after practice. “About what each player can do better, what we were going to do better collectively. Coaching staff. Medical staff. Everybody. We just wanted to figure this thing out leading up to the day of the Brooklyn game. And it worked out for us.”
Lakers first-year coach Darvin Ham said that it was an open forum with many voices involved, ranging from players like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and Davis, to himself, Phil Handy, and Chris Jent on the coaching staff.
“Everybody chimes in,” Ham said. “No idea is a bad idea. The only bad idea is not having an idea. We all pour in together. No one is taking personal shots or talking about attacking people’s character — it’s just attacking what we can do better. We attack the mistakes. How can we be better, how can we be a better basketball group.”
They certainly looked better against the Nets. On the offensive end, Davis contributed season-highs in points (37) and offensive rebounds (10).
“Lot of emotions,” Davis said when asked to describe the meeting. “Guys voicing their opinions. Some back and forth. But it was all of the nature of trying to get better. So even though it might be a back-and-forth, it was, ‘OK, I hear what you’re saying, you hear what I’m saying. So now, what’s the solution?’ Instead of just constantly butting heads. So it was some good dialogue.”