After great optimism during the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have started 0-2 in the preseason following losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. Since the arrival of President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka, the Lakers are trying to establish a winning culture.

Following practice, head coach Luke Walton assessed the team's performance through two games according to Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints:

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With a shortened training camp and preseason, there are challenges in trying to teach the youngest team in the league. As the Lakers are looking to defend in order to create fastbreak opportunities, they are still learning how to play with each other in halfcourt sets. In addition, Brook Lopez and Andrew Bogut have yet to play a game.

With four games remaining in the preseason (Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Clippers), Walton and the Lakers will look to make adjustments. As Lonzo Ball looks to find a balance between shooting and passing, Brandon Ingram hopes to shoot a better percentage.

If the Lakers want to be competitive in the Western Conference, Ball and Ingram will need to showcase their All-Star potential for the 2017-18 NBA season.