The Los Angeles Lakers have a new base of operations, moving the entire organization to the brand new UCLA Health Training Center. It’s a big shift from their previous setup, and the kind of upgrade that further drills home that a new era is upon the franchise.
Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss sat down with sideline reporter Mike Trudell for a 12-minute interview, discussing why the franchise feels the move aligns with their drive to establish a strong culture across the entire organization.
“About three years ago we talked about what kind of investment we could make into the team to really... with the collective bargaining agreement the way it is, the playing field has become more even with teams in the league.
“So you’re always looking at ways that you can improve your team that are outside of just trying to sign the most players. There really is this movement about not only developing your own players, but also keeping your players in tip-top shape,” Buss said.
If you haven’t had a chance to see much of the facility yet, the Lakers have been kind enough to give plenty of looks at it as they settle in to their new residency:
Legendary pic.twitter.com/9WiYeHMcYM
— UCLA Health TC (@UCLAHealthTC) July 31, 2017
The boss finding new homes for all the important stuff @UCLAHealthTC pic.twitter.com/tQJW3e1mmx
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 31, 2017
.@Lakers staff getting settled into their new space pic.twitter.com/oy9JZB9j63
— UCLA Health TC (@UCLAHealthTC) July 31, 2017
.@SouthBayLakers President Joey Buss visits with GM Rob Pelinka as he gets settled into his new office at the @UCLAHealthTC pic.twitter.com/LXjTPiG44Z
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 31, 2017
Passed by the new @UCLAHealthTC. Looks great! pic.twitter.com/9oHcqOiPcy
— Mandy Lopez™ (@2EP0L) May 21, 2017
Spotlight on the @Lakers practice floor pic.twitter.com/HnCFMqbcwu
— UCLA Health TC (@UCLAHealthTC) July 31, 2017
There’s a lot to see, and plenty more to check out on the Twitter account for the training center. It’s clearly a beautiful building, but Jeanie made the important distinction that a pretty training facility doesn’t mean anything until the results come back.
“We can build a beautiful facility, and everything looks great, and trophies and banners, but at the end of the day we’re going to be judged by how the team does on the court and the success that they have. I feel that in my position my job is to give them everything that they need so they can be the best that they can be,” Buss said.
Want to see even more? Trudell took a tour of the facility back in May, which you can check out below:
: @LakersReporter takes us on a tour of the @UCLAHealthTC and showcases its many features. #TeamUCLALakers pic.twitter.com/4LsdZFMOGh
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 8, 2017