Lakers like Luke Walton's coaching style

EL SEGUNDO >> The smiles soon formed and laughs quickly erupted. The Lakers just started their summer-league practice, but it also marked the begiing of coach Luke Walton casting a favorable impression.

He participated in rebounding drills with his players. He knocked down some 3-pointers. He also told some jokes.

“It’s a different feel,” Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. said. “But it’s fun.”

Few would use that word to describe the 2015-16 season that resulted in a 17-65 record. Beyond the results, some Lakers players felt frustration with former coach Byron Scott offering a ste coaching approach he believed was necessary for a young group. Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell also faced hurdles with losing his starting position.

After Wednesday’s practice, however, Russell reported that “everything’s positive.”

“He has a great coaching staff around him that lets you know if you don’t make the right play and it helps you lea from it,” Russell said. “If you mess up, there’s a teaching moment after it that goes into the next play.”

It appears Walton’s players have become willing to listen.

“We got a new group of guys, young guys that are hungry to lea,” Walton said. “We’re going out there to coach them every day and they’re asking questions and they’re busting their tails for us. I’m having a blast right now.”

Pleasant sighting

Lakers forward Julius Randle will not play in summer league considering he is a third-year NBA player and has trained plenty this offseason. But Randle practiced on Wednesday, showing off both his playmaking in a scrimmage and his jumper in a shooting session. Walton was “pleased with his performance.”

Reaching for the stars

The Golden State Warriors had plotted all year to convince Kevin Durant to leave Oklahoma City in free agency. The plan worked.

“He wants to win championships and Golden State gives him the best opportunity,” said Walton, a former Warriors assistant coach. “They’re going to have a heck of a team.”

Yet, Walton knows how too well that star-studded teams do not guarantee an NBA championship.

Walton was a rookie when the Lakers acquired veteran stars Karl Malone and Gary Payton to complement Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant for the 2003-04 season. The Lakers lost in five games in the NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons.

“Those guys were still really good, but they were toward the end of their careers,” Walton said of the 2003-04 Lakers. The Warriors “are all in their prime.”

Setting off a dud

The Lakers won’t discipline forward Nick Young after a TMZ video showed him picking up a lit firework that nearly blew up in his face.

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“You would hope that things like that don’t happen,” Walton said. “Professional athletes kind of need their hands. But I’m glad he’s OK.”

The Lakers are expected to buy out the remaining two years of Young’s $11 million contract if they caot trade him. Last season, Young averaged 7.3 points on a career-low 33.9 percent clip.

Roster update

Rookie center Ivica Zubac did not practice on Wednesday since he is still finalizing paperwork. The Lakers believe that can be sorted out in time for him to practice on Thursday.