Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers unfazed by sluggish start, know ‘season is too long’ to panic

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As much as the new-look Los Angeles Lakers have preached patience, a winless exhibition slate, a handful of injuries and now an 0-2 start to the regular season — that included tensions boiling over in Friday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns — would test any team’s resolve.

Yet Russell Westbrook, the former league MVP that Los Angeles moved heaven and earth to acquire in the offseason, said he is just fine with the uncomfortable orbit the Lakers currently find themselves in.

“I’m OK with adversity, honestly,” Westbrook said Saturday after the team gathered for a film session. “I never panic throughout the course of a season. Especially at the start of the season. There’s really no need to. The season is too long and nobody is winning nothing right now.

“Yes, it’s good to get off to a good start and feel good about yourself, but especially me personally, I like to make sure that I’m — as the season goes on — I’m constantly just getting better and better and better as the season prolongs. And making sure that my team and my teammates are getting better as well as we all get comfortable with each other.”

Rajon Rondo called Saturday’s film review the longest since this group came together — “Rightfully so,” he said — and added that breaking down game tape as a unit was vital to coach Frank Vogel’s success in guiding L.A. to the championship two seasons ago, as it builds a foundation for accountability and involvement.

“If Frank is the only one in the room talking, he says we’re doing something wrong,” Rondo said. “So, a lot of people are talking — the coaches, to the players, we go back and forth. Not necessarily arguing, chattering, but to understand one another because an open dialogue is best for us to develop quick chemistry on the court.”

Vogel called the meeting as “very healthy” ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

“A lot of conversation,” Vogel said. “A couple really helpful discussions to just try to bring some…