The L.A. Lakers have fallen on hard times over the past few years, but the general feeling around the franchise is that the darkest days are behind them.
Now that Kobe Bryant has retired, the Purple and Gold have lost one of their greatest ever players.
However, now that the Black Mamba has shot his last basket, that means there is also finally some room for a young talent to run the team.
After having the second overall pick for the last two consecutive drafts, general manager Mitch Kupchak believes the Lakers have two young men in D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram who can go on to fill those illustrious shoes.
"I think both of those players have a little gold dust that was sprinkled on them from the basketball gods," Kupchak said, referencing an old anecdote former general manager Jerry West used to use to describe players who displayed star potential. "Whether or not they become what we all hope they become, that's up to them.
"When you're 19-years old, you can't rush the process, but I think they want to become great players."
Now that Luke Walton has arrived at the Staples Center, there is a new feeling of optimism that hopefully the young talents can benefit from.
