The Los Angeles Lakers have found their rhythm, and according to former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, they’ve finally discovered something they’ve been chasing for years.
After a five-game winning streak and a 7–2 start to the season, the Lakers look sharp, united, and confident under new head coach J.J. Redick. For Perkins, it’s the culture shift that stands out most.
“What we’re seeing now is what the L.A. Lakers have been searching for in the last five or six years,” Perkins said. “You know what that is? Culture, identity, we’re seeing that right now, and it’s trending that way.
“… One thing we can say about the Lakers in this appetizer that we’ve seen them in is that they’re going to play hard every f—— game. Make or miss shots, J.J. [Redick] has his group competing at the highest level.”
That identity has been built through adversity. The Lakers have strung together wins despite missing key stars for stretches, Luka Doncic has already sat out four games, Austin Reaves has battled minor injuries, and LeBron James has yet to make his season debut. Still, Los Angeles keeps finding ways to win.
Much of that success can be traced to the team’s revamped supporting cast. Four rotation players, Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and Rui Hachimura, are all averaging double figures in scoring so far.
Three of them joined the team this past offseason, signaling that the Lakers’ summer moves have paid off early.
Redick, who’s quickly earning respect as a first-year head coach, has kept the team locked in through lineup changes and injuries.
With a cohesive locker room, balanced offense, and newfound chemistry, the Lakers appear to be building exactly what Perkins described, a real culture and identity.
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