The 2026-27 NBA season is kicking off a whole new era for the Lakers, officially marking the start of the Luka Dončić era. This isn’t just a new face, though; Lakers president Rob Pelinka and third-year head coach JJ Redick are hyping up a squad that’s not just younger and deeper, but built entirely on one critical idea: connectivity.
This Is Not Your Grandpa’s Preseason Hype, This Is ‘The Odyssey’
Pelinka dropped some deep wisdom last Thursday, comparing every season to the “Odyssey.” He said you launch a season, and then a ton of unpredictable stuff happens, but you have to stay strong and together as a group. Redick, who’s fresh off back-to-back 50-win seasons, doubled down on that, referencing the classic hero’s journey where allies and guides are absolutely critical. He even brought up “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” pointing out how Frodo and the whole crew had to be connected. Redick stressed that embracing each other as allies, even with disagreements, is the only way to get through the grind of 82 games. This isn’t just locker room fluff; Redick believes the “best teams are the most connected teams,” a thread he’s seen in the NBA for the past six or seven years.
Gandalf, Samwise, and the Pressure to Deliver a Ring
Speaking of Middle-earth, Pelinka, a self-proclaimed J. R. R. Tolkien fan, asked Redick who he identifies with in that universe. Redick, at 42, said he’s a mix of Gandalf and Samwise Gamgee. That obviously pegs Dončić as Frodo Baggins, with Redick tasked as the guide helping Dončić carry out the mission. And what’s that mission? The pressure is squarely on Dončić to deliver a ring, and he’s got a newly constructed, younger, and deeper roster around him to do it. Both Pelinka and Redick were all about the need for chemistry from day one with this group. Redick is super confident, saying there were times in his first two years where the team connected, but he truly believes this new group is already connected and will be from Day 1.
So, as the season officially gets going, it’s all eyes on Dončić and his “Lord of the Rings” crew. Can they actually live up to this intense focus on connectivity and chemistry, or will the “ordeals and trials” of the season prove too much? We’ll find out soon enough if this younger, deeper squad can turn fantasy into a championship reality.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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