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Walton looking to replicate Warriors' culture with Lakers

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After seeing what a winning environment looks like during his time in the Bay Area, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton is looking to duplicate the Golden State Warriors' positive culture with his new team.

"The culture that we had up there is what I’m trying to build down here," Walton told ESPN's Baxter Holmes. "Obviously, (there are) different starting points. It’s a different plan of attack because of where we’re at and the youth that we have. Obviously some new coaches are coming in and some new (veteran players are) coming in. But the way they did things, as far as big picture, is something I’d like to see down here with the way our players develop and look forward to coming and doing the work today."

Walton served as one of the league's most successful assistants during his two years in Golden State, totaling 140 wins during his brief run with the Warriors.

"It was just a good work environment," he added. "It was a family atmosphere. Guys enjoyed coming in and competing every day. There was a value on doing things the right way. There was a value on the way that people held each other accountable."

After signing a five-year deal with the Lakers this summer, Walton isn't worried about winning right away. Instead, he's more concerned with building a culture first, hoping that the wins will eventually follow.

"And if that ends up costing a couple wins here or there, I think that’s something that we have to live with as a group," he said. "Because in the bigger picture, it’s more important that we have those basics down, those fundamentals down."

After collecting a franchise-low 17 wins last season, the Lakers are almost certain to improve upon their 2015-16 mark under Walton. Los Angeles opens its season next week against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.

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