The new Los Angeles Lakers such as Quinn Cook and Avery Bradley have been busy the past few days on conference calls with the media while also getting their first looks at the Los Angeles Lakers’ facilities as they try to become more familiar with their new organization. Another new Laker who’s been busy doing the exact same is Danny Green, who was the first free agent to be signed following the Kawhi Leonard/Los Angeles Clippers news.
During his availability to media members on Wednesday, Danny Green was asked by Pete Zayas of The Athletic (transcribed by Harrison Faigen/Silver Screen & Roll) about what first steps the Lakers must take to get on the same page to compete for the 2020 NBA Finals. Green’s answer had basically nothing to do with on-court steps, saying this:
“Just getting to know each other off the court. Preseason. Going to camp, being in a different atmosphere, sharing a locker room, seeing where guys come from and what experiences they’ve had on other teams, and once you get to know each other then you’re more comfortable with each other on the court, and obviously following the coach’s lead and doing the little things he asks us to do, whether it’s defensive rotations or going through drills, or just buying in. But we’ve got to get to know each other first, I think that’s most important, first and foremost.”
It was an interesting answer given all of the analysis you can give regarding how this roster will work together on the court, but it does make sense. There’s almost never been a team that wins an NBA Finals without strong team chemistry that’s built up from before training camp even begins. Green knows this from experience as a two-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs and, of course, with the Toronto Raptors only a few weeks ago.
Green also discussed how Paul George being traded to the Clippers was a “shock” to him, as well how it was “a little weird” being teammates with DeMarcus Cousins and Quinn Cook only a few weeks removed from playing against them in the 2019 NBA Finals.
