Walker Kessler spent the last four years in perhaps the most pressure-free environment in the entire NBA by playing for the tanking Utah Jazz. Now, he's in a pressure-filled environment with the Los Angeles Lakers. Lakers alum Byron Scott highlighted the pressure that comes with playing for the Lakers.
During his podcast, Scott revealed that in LA, Kessler must play even if he's hurt because that's what it takes to be a true member of the Lakers.
If you're just hurt, you can play. A lot of these guys get hurt. Yeah. You can play, but if you're injured, that's another story. But that was a big thing with that Purple and Gold back in the day because we always said, if you put that Purple and Gold on, there are no excuses, first of all."
It didn't stop there. Scott did not back down whatsoever from his comments.
"There's no excuses. So, you might be a little hurt, but if you put that on, we expect you to come out here and perform."
It's not like this is anything new. That's what happens when going to a team like the Lakers. However, this could be a bigger culture shock for Kessler than one would think.
Kessler doesn't have any winning experience
First things first, as true as this sentiment is, it's not his fault. Kessler was put on a team that not only started over, but didn't really know what direction they were going in until two years after they started the new chapter.
Nonetheless, after four years of playing basketball with no stakes outside of trying to tank as much as possible, Kessler now goes to a team that expects him to play his best to keep up their tradition of being one of the NBA's best franchises. Kessler could change a lot about the Lakers, but that doesn't necessarily mean the challenge ahead will be easy for him.
The Lakers are also starting a new chapter post-LeBron, with Luka Doncic leading the way and Kessler supposed to be right up there among his best reinforcements (which is why Luka pushed for LA to get Kessler), but we don't have much evidence that what he brings contributes to winning basketball.
We certainly have proof of what Kessler can do, but no proof that it changes everything for a playoff team. Now he gets the ultimate test both of how impactful he is and how durable he can be now that he's playing for the team that will demand him to be more than anyone.
Add us as a preferred source on Google