One of the ultimate goals of every franchise is to develop a culture. Teams can have identities, but building a culture is how long-term success is achieved.

Franchise like the Warriors, Celtics and Heat have a culture that has led to sustained success. The Lakers have not had that for a very long time.

In fact, you’d likely have to go back to the Phil Jackson days to find a Lakers team with a sustained culture. The team fell backwards in some ways into an identity with the 2019-20 team of being bigger, faster and stronger than everyone, but the front office quickly diverted away from that.

Monday’s win over the Blazers, though, was a culture victory. Without Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, the Lakers went up against a well-rested, intense Blazers side and came away the vic

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